MUNIWASH - MUNICIPAL WASH ACTIVITY USAID WEST AFRICA MUNICIPAL WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE (MUNIWASH) YEAR 2 QUARTERLY REPORT 2 JANUARY–MARCH 2021
APRIL 10, 2021
This report is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of Tetra Tech and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States government.
This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development by Tetra Tech, through USAID Contract No. 72062419F00001, USAID/West Africa Municipal Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, a Task Order under the Making Cities Work Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract (USAID Contract # AID- OAA-I-14-00059).
This report was prepared by:
Tetra Tech 159 Bank Street, Suite 300 Burlington, Vermont 05401 USA Telephone: (802) 495-0282 Fax: (802) 658-4247 Email: [email protected]
Tetra Tech Contacts: Safaa Fakorede, Chief of Party [email protected]
Zachary Borrenpohl, Project Manager [email protected]
Kelsey Dudziak, Deputy Project Manager [email protected]
Tetra Tech 159 Bank Street, Suite 300, Burlington, VT 05401 Tel: 802 452-0282, Fax 802 658-4247
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... I ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...... III 1 PROJECT OVERVIEW ...... 1 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS ...... 2 3 ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ...... 4 SELECTION, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, AND PRE-IR ACTIVITIES ...... 4 Task 0.2: Prepare Feasibility Studies: Benin and Côte d’Ivoire ...... 4 Task 0.3: Negotiate Memoranda of Understanding...... 7 Task 0.4: Grants Under Contract (GUC) ...... 8 Task 5.3: Gender Analysis and Strategy ...... 8 Task 5.5: Environmental Considerations and Construction Risk Management ..... 9 SERVICE AREA 1: FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT (IR1: INCREASED FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN WATER AND SANITATION UTILITIES/SERVICE PROVIDERS) ...... 9 Task 1.1: Assess Financial Performance and Business Models ...... 9 Task 1.5: Facilitate Increased Investment in WASH Services ...... 9 Task 1.7: Expand Service Provider and Customer Access to Financial Products10 SERVICE AREA 2: OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY (IR2: IMPROVED OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY OF WATER AND SANITATION UTILITIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS) ...... 10 Task 2.1: Conduct Market Mapping and Customer Satisfaction Reviews ...... 10 Task 2.2: Improve service provider business processes ...... 10 Task 2.3. Improve service delivery and quality of customer service ...... 11 Task 2.4: Expand and Diversify Pro-Poor Services ...... 11 Task 2.5: Improve Enabling Business Operating Environment ...... 12 SERVICE AREA 3: MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (IR3: ENHANCED WATER AND SANITATION SECTOR GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT CAPACITY AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL) ...... 12 Task 3.1: Implement Municipal WASH ISI ...... 12 Task 3.6: Increase Civil Society Engagement in WASH Service Delivery ...... 15 Task 3.7: Conduct Social Audits of WASH Services ...... 17 Task 3.8: Clarify and Strengthen the WASH Regulatory Framework ...... 18 SERVICE AREA 4: REGIONAL LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING (IR4: INCREASED REGIONAL LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING TO REPLICATE SUCCESSFUL APPROACHES) ...... 18 Task 4.1: Establish a Learning Agenda and Communities of Practice ...... 18 Task 4.2: Collect and Document Lessons Learned ...... 19 Task 4.3: Document and Disseminate Investment Opportunities ...... 20 Task 4.4: Develop and Implement Communication and Outreach Strategy ...... 20 Task 4.5: Provide Opportunities for Formal Learning ...... 22 Task 4.6: Facilitate Peer-to-Peer Learning ...... 23 4 MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING...... 25 THE HOUSEHOLD SURVEY PROCESS ...... 25 Logistical preparation of the household survey and training ...... 25
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Household survey data collection process ...... 26 Supervision and data quality assurance ...... 26 Staff training on data collection tools for indicators ...... 26 PERFORMANCE OF INDICATORS ...... 27 5 PROJECT STAFFING, MANAGEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATION ...... 30 PERSONNEL ...... 30 REGULAR REPORTING AND SUMMARY OF Q1Y2 CONTRACT DELIVERABLE ...... 30 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES ...... 31 Adaption of the Activity ...... 31 Modifications and Amendments ...... 31 6 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES ...... 32 CHALLENGES ...... 32 OPPORTUNITIES ...... 33 7 COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, OTHER DONOR PROJECTS, OR OTHER USAID PROJECTS ...... 35 LINKS WITH RELEVANT GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES ...... 35 LINKS WITH OTHER DONOR AGENCIES ...... 36 LINKS WITH OTHER USAID PROJECTS ...... 37 8 WORK PLAN FOR NEXT QUARTER (Y2Q3) ...... 38 9 MUNIWASH FINANCIAL REPORT ...... 43 ANNEX A: KEY ACTIVITIES ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE QUARTER ...... 44 ANNEX B: PHOTOGRAPHS OF ACTIVITIES DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ...... 46
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ABEE Association Béninoise Eau et Electricité ACEP Association des Consommateurs d’Eau Potable ACCI Fédération des Associations des Consommateurs de Côte d’Ivoire ACSRN Association des Consommateurs Solidaires de la Région du Nawa AfWASA African Water and Sanitation Association ALCRER Association de Lutte Contre le Racisme, l'Ethnocentrisme et le Régionalisme APA Association des Puisatiers d’Abengourou APIEx Agence de Promotion des Investissements et des Exportations ANAEPMR Agence Nationale d’Approvisionnement en Eau Potable en Milieu Rural ANCB Association Nationale des Communes du Benin AUAEAN Association des Usagers et Acteurs de l'Eau et de l'Assainissement de Nokoué AWP Annual Work Plan BPCI Banque Populaire de Côte d’Ivoire CANEA Cadre des Acteurs Non Etatiques du secteur Eau et Assainissement CGECI Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire CONAFIL Commission Nationale des Finances Locales COP Chief of Party COR Contracting Officer’s Representative Contracting Officer’s Representative CPC Cellule de Participation Citoyenne CSO Civil Society Organization DAR Direction de l’Assainissement Rural DAUD Direction de l’Assainissement Urbain and du Drainage DAVU Direction de l’Assainissement et de la Voirie Urbaine DCOP Deputy Chief of Party DG-EAU Direction Général de l’Eau DGCL Direction Générale des Collectivités Locales DGDDL Direction Générale de la Décentralisation et du Développement Local DGL Direction de la Gouvernance Locale DNSP Direction Nationale de la Santé Publique
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EEET Association Eau et Electricité pour Tous EFPOD Eau, Femme et Pouvoir de Décision EMMP Environmental Mitigation and Management Plan ES/BPA Enterprise Support and Business Performance Advisor F&IA Financial and Investment Advisor FENAVICI Fédération National des Vidangeurs de la Côte d’Ivoire FY Fiscal Year FSTP Fecal Sludge Treatment Plant GESI Gender and Social Inclusion GIS Geographic Information System GUC Grants Under Contract HAGB Haute Autorité pour la Bonne Gouvernance HO Home Office IR Intermediate Result ISI Institutional Strengthening Index ISP Institutional Strengthening Plan KII Key Informant Interview KM Knowledge Management KPI Key Performance Indicator KSLA Knowledge Sharing and Learning Advisor MCVDD Ministère du Cadre de Vie et du Développement Durable MDGL Ministère de la Décentralisation et du Développement Local MEL Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning MELP Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan MEM Ministère de l’Eau et des Mines MFI Microfinance Institution MH Ministère de l’Hydraulique MINASS Ministère de l’Assainissement et de la Salubrité MOU Memorandum of Understanding MS Ministère de la Santé MuniWASH West Africa Municipal Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Activity
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ONAD Office National de l’Assainissement et du Drainage ONEP Office National de l’Eau Potable OTI/CITI Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) and Côte d'Ivoire Transition Initiatives (CITI) Program PEA Points d’Eau Autonome PEAC Point d’Eau Autonome Communautaire PM Project Manager PNE Partenariat National de l’Eau du Bénin POC Point of Contact PONADEC Politique Nationale de Décentralisation PPP Public Private Partnership PSI Population Services International PSPD Plateforme de la Société Civile de Bouaké Q Quarter RCI République de Côte d’Ivoire RBFPEA Réseau Béninois des Femmes Professionnelles de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement RIFPEA Réseau Ivoirien des Femmes Professionnelles de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement SDG Sustainable Development Goal SMA Sanitation Market Advisor SNV Stichting Nederlandse Vrijwilligers SODECI Société de Distribution d’Eau de Côte d’Ivoire SONEB Société Nationale des Eaux du Bénin SP Secrétariat Permanent SSD Sanitation Service Delivery Project SSDS Sanitation Service Delivery Specialist STC Scientific Technical Committee STTA Short-Term Technical Assistance SuSanA Sustainable Sanitation Alliance SVAB Société des Vidangeurs et d’Assainissement de Bouaké TFP Technical and Financial Partners TOCOR Task Order Contracting Office Representative TOT Training of Trainers
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UFC-CI Union Fédérale des Consommateurs de Côte d’Ivoire UNEMB Union Nationale des Entrepreneurs Mimin du Bénin USAID United States Agency for International Development UVICOCI Union des Villes et Communes de Côte d’Ivoire VTO Vacuum Truck Operator WASH Water Sanitation and Hygiene WASH JNCI Réseau des Journalistes pour l’Eau, l’Assainissement et l’Hygiène WIN Water Integrity Network
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1 PROJECT OVERVIEW
The West Africa Municipal Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (MuniWASH) Activity focuses on improving financial viability and sustainability, technical and operational performance, and governance and management oversight to bridge the gap between country national priorities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective of MuniWASH is to support city governments, national directorates and agencies, utilities, and service providers in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire to sustain and expand city-wide water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services to fill critical needs that reach poor and underserved community members in priority municipalities. The Activity identifies opportunities to provide technical assistance to other West African countries to improve and expand urban WASH services. MuniWASH is collaborating with the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) as a learning partner to capture lessons and help guide urban WASH programming. Advancing urban WASH service delivery in West Africa requires institutional strengthening, planning, data, evidence-based decision making, and financing at national, regional, and municipal levels. MuniWASH works with government ministries and agencies from national to decentralized levels and with multiple service providers (public and private) in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire to improve coordination, create an enabling environment, and help municipalities become more effective coordinators to achieve shared goals and build mutual accountability. The Activity will work in up to 16 target municipalities located in Côte d’Ivoire and Benin (eight in each country). Specifically, MuniWASH will use targeted interventions that invest in systems strengthening, promote good governance, and achieve sustainable performance improvements through the following intermediate results (IRs): • IR1: Increased financial sustainability of private sector investment in water and sanitation utilities/service providers; • IR2: Improved operational reliability of water and sanitation utilities/service providers; • IR3: Enhanced water and sanitation sector governance and management capacity at the subnational level; and • IR4: Increased regional learning and knowledge sharing to replicate successful approaches. The approach emphasizes the need for improved enabling environment and service provider performance (technical, operational, and financial) to expand customer access and increase opportunities for investment. This report summarizes the activities completed during the second quarter of Year 2 of the MuniWASH Activity, covering the period January to March 2021 and outlines the planned activities for the third quarter covering the period April to June 2021.
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2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS During this second quarter of Year 2 (Y2Q2), the MuniWASH team pursued several activities under the IRs that led to key achievements highlighted in the paragraphs below. Institutional Strengthening Index MuniWASH supported all municipalities to complete self-assessments using the Institutional Strengthening Index (ISI) matrix in both countries with the exception for the municipality of Abobo in Côte d’Ivoire. The results show that the municipalities have insufficient or inadequate capacities to perform their role in water and sanitation services provision. All municipalities scored less than 2 points on a scale from 1 to 4; the highest score was a 1.8. Despite these low scores, the ISI tool along with the approach was seen as a success by the municipalities. The municipal teams recognized the ISI tool as a ‘true mirror’ because this self-evaluation allowed them to discuss and identify their own strengths and weaknesses, unlike in other projects where consultants are engaged to perform the task for them. Whilst the municipal staff are often aware of the situation, they never had had such a tool to help them take stock and identify the exact challenges, hence ISI was welcomed and appreciated. As a result of the effectiveness of the tool, some municipalities have started to take actions to bridge the gaps identified even before the development of the Institutional Strengthening Plans (ISP) (e.g. Abengourou in Côte d’Ivoire). Moreover, the umbrella associations of municipalities, the Union des Villes et Communes de Côte d’Ivoire (UVICOCI) and Association Nationale des Communes du Bénin (ANCB) in Benin, are requesting MuniWASH to apply the same exercise to review and analyze the situation of their organizations. These requests indicate the great interest and appreciation of the value the ISI provides. After the ISI, the next step is to develop and validate the ISPs for each municipality and start their implementation which will include creating dialogue between municipalities and central government bodies/utilities. Memoranda of Understanding MuniWASH SONEB Upon the request by SONEB, MuniWASH developed an MOU to delineate the framework of collaboration along with the scope of work to be undertaken throughout the project lifespan.
Feasibility Studies During this quarter, the feasibility studies were launched and are ongoing.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning This quarter was mainly marked by the preparation and implementation of the household survey data collection. The MuniWASH MEL team worked on the logistics for preparation of the survey andthe recruitment and training of research assistants (interviewers and monitors) as well as their deployment in the field. MuniWASH conducted supervision and quality assurance of the data collected in the sixteen (16) communes of the project. In addition, capacity building sessions for technical staff on the MEL Plan and the MuniWASH project's contractual indicators were organized in order to enable the key technical staff to master the data collection circuit and the mechanisms inherent to the production of quality data.
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion MuniWASH continued the series of meetings with key ministries and institutions in Benin to identify activities where gender strategy could be implemented. Based on the results of these meetings,
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MuniWASH developed work plans for technical capacity building in gender and social inclusion for these partners. Communication MuniWASH kicked off its series of learning events with a first regional webinar. MuniWASH and AfWASA organized this webinar on the ISI process. This regional learning event held on the Microsoft Teams platform was moderated by AfWASA and saw the participation of the 16 project municipalities accompanied by the national ridge of Benin ANCB (National Association of Municipalities of Benin) and Ivory Coast UVICOCI (Union of Cities and Communes of Côte d'Ivoire). In addition to the project beneficiaries at the municipal level, MuniWASH focal persons in both countries and USAID members participated in this learning event.
Partnership with the African Water and Sanitation Association for the Dissemination of Knowledge Products During the second quarter, MuniWASH, obtained the co-branding of the learning notes with the AfWASA logo and the publication of these learning notes on the AfWASA's knowledge sharing platform. Also, a learning note writing and editing plan was developed to enable both parties to collaborate effectively on knowledge management and sharing. In addition, MuniWASH Senior Managers participated in the 86th Scientific and Technical Council (STC) of AfWASA.
Preparation and Submission of Various Contract Deliverables and Administrative Activities Finally, MuniWASH prepared and submitted all contractual deliverables to the USAID Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) except for the feasibility studies for which MuniWASH requested and was granted a late submission. Approved reports were uploaded to the USAID Development Experience Clearinghouse. Documents submitted to USAID during this quarter include: • Costed Needs Assessment, and • Quarterly Progress Report Y2Q1. • French version of the MuniWASH Quarterly Report - Year1Q3
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3 ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
SELECTION, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, AND PRE-IR ACTIVITIES During the quarter Y2Q2, MuniWASH launched all five components of the feasibility studies, which are underway. Initially expected to be delivered six months after the approval of the site selection, MuniWASH encountered challenges during the inception of the studies. This situation was due to a mix of reasons including unforeseen delays introduced by the requirement of a statistical visa prior to commencing the surveys, difficulties in recruiting qualified consultants or full-time staff members required for the studies, international travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and failure or slowness of certain partners to respond to requests. Hence, MuniWASH globally has been delayed and requested the extension of the deadline until late April 2021 to complete the feasibility studies.
TASK 0.2: PREPARE FEASIBILITY STUDIES: BENIN AND CÔTE D’IVOIRE During this quarter, progress made on each component of the feasibility studies are as follows:
IDENTIFYING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND DEVELOP AN INVESTMENT PIPELINE During this quarter, MuniWASH hired two consultants, one in each country for a LOE of 75 days, to perform this task. Inception meetings were organized on January 19 and January 20, 2021, respectively with the consultants in Benin and in Côte d’Ivoire to harmonize understanding of the scope of work and kick off the studies. The consultants initiated several meetings with stakeholders including the sector ministries, directorates, agencies, and ministries in charge of country level program/projects coordination such as the Ministry of Planning as well as donors and potential investors of the sector. In Benin, MuniWASH met with the following stakeholders: APIEx/PPP Unit (Agence de Promotion des Investissements et des Exportations), Presidential Unit of Project Monitoring, Ministry of Planning and Development as well as specific directorates, SONEB, DAVU, and AfDB Country Office. In Côte d’Ivoire, the list includes DAUD, DAR, DGDDL, ONAD, ONEP, Ministry of Hydraulics, Ministry of Planning and Development, National PPP Steering Committee, International Finance Corporation (IFC), ARISE Group, MERIDIAN Finance Group, and AfDB. The task is ongoing. The objective of these meetings is to identify projects and collect related documents for analyses, and to understand potential investment opportunities. Initial findings in both countries are similar and include the following: • The WASH infrastructure projects identified are at the very early stages in the lifecycle of a project and include project ideas with few to no supporting documents. Existing projects with well finalized supporting documentation are already funded. Most of the projects are donor funded, who follow a typical process of choosing a project of interest and providing funding for the studies and eventually funding for implementing it. For instance, ONAD organized a donor roundtable in June 2019 to raise funds for its project pipeline and received donor support in a total of CFA 765 billion. In Benin, SONEB with the Government is seeking to mobilize CFA 275 billion by 2023; • Investors and private developers s are usually interested in projects that have existing feasibility study documents that can readily be assessed. Extremely few are interested to consider projects at this very early stage of the cycle; • Stakeholders express high interest for MuniWASH to support with mobilization of funding to develop feasibility studies for identified projects. In Benin, there is also need for funding to
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develop master plans for sanitation (Plan Directeur Assainissement) for some municipalities such as Ouidah.
UNDERSTANDING PRIVATE SERVICE PROVIDERS’ BUSINESS MODELS AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE During the quarter, the MuniWASH team completed the field work for data collection and interviewing of key informants and started the analysis and reporting of the studies in both countries. This component is led by the Enterprise Support and Business Performance Advisors (ES/BP) who are MuniWASH staff. Information and data were gathered from multiple sources including published literature, relevant directorates and agencies as well as at from the municipalities. MuniWASH also conducted interviews of water and sanitation service providers including masons, plumbers, vacuum truck operators, tap stand managers, and sanitation by-products users. In Côte d’Ivoire, five municipalities (Abengourou, San Pedro, Gagnoa, Bouaké, and Yamoussoukro) were surveyed while in Benin, the project selected six representative municipalities (Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, So-Ava, Ouidah, Aplahoué, Bohicon, and Avrankou). From the data analysis, key findings can be summarized as follows; In the water supply sector in each country, there is a sole service provider in urban and peri urban areas: SODECI, a privately owned business in Côte d’Ivoire, and SONEB, a state-owned enterprise in Benin. Besides these providers, there are small scale business owners/operators, especially in Benin. • In Côte d’Ivoire, along with taps on premises, there are 199 tap stands across the country (source: ONEP) to service the poor and underserved population. However, over the last years, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire has subsidized connections to the water supply network through a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Hydraulic, ONEP, and SODECI. • In Benin, aside from the typical water connections provided by SONEB, there are two other types of service provision in the urban and peri urban neighborhoods. The first are tap stands that are mostly in Cotonou and known as points d’eau autonome communautaire (PEAC), which are managed by individuals or committees hired by the municipality. The second type are the points d’eau autonome privé (PEA) installed in a household by private operators called “foreur” (an individual/enterprise that drills boreholes). These operators are mainly found in Ouidah, Aplahoué, Bohicon, and Avrankou. Until recently, there has been very little to no control over the service provided by these private operators, neither from SONEB nor from the municipalities. This situation has led to mismanagement and systems failure on the tap stands and PEACs, and no water quality test/control are conducted by individual households installing their own systems. Besides these operators, there are nascent innovators in the water sector including a private entrepreneur who developed a solar-based technology for water supply that is been tested and used by a number of NGOs. The sanitation sub-sector is overwhelmingly dominated by the private sector in both countries as far as service delivery to households is concerned, including the capture, storage, emptying, and transport. The treatment link in the value chain is managed by the central government through its agencies who oversee the construction of the fecal sludge treatment plants (FSTP). These agencies are ONAD in Côte d’Ivoire and DAVU and SONEB in Benin. In Benin, the operation model of the FSTPs is yet to be determined for the two currently in construction. Toilets are usually constructed by masons. In Benin, thanks to the USAID Sanitation Service Delivery (SSD) project, there is an association of masons and toilets’ products suppliers called Union Nationale des Entrepreneurs Mimin du Bénin (UNEMB) who are well organized and trained to undertake marketing
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activities to develop their business. Unlike Benin, such a level of professional organization was not found in Côte d’Ivoire. Emptying and transport is performed by vacuum truck operators (VTOs) or manual emptiers. The latter are mostly individuals operating informally with no control or supervision from the authorities. Their work is hardly traceable except in a municipality like Abengourou where there is an association: Association des Puisatiers d’Abengourou (APA). Both countries have an umbrella VTO association even though many of these operators are informal meaning no legal registration, no license to operate, poorly organized business, no basic bookkeeping, accounting, unfair competition, etc. Most of the trucks are dilapidated. The findings also revealed that for some of these operators, there is little incentive to formalize their business because a formal and legal operator is perceived as entering a cycle of additional burden with taxes and therefore, they prefer the status quo. These reasons lead to challenges for the operators as the businesses are barely viable as well as for the regulators, including the municipalities and sector agencies, who have very limited control over this activity. Wastewater and sludge reuse are nascent with only small-scale initiatives identified in both countries, especially in Benin. SIBEAU in Benin, a privately-owned and well-structured sanitation business whose activities cut across the entire sanitation value chain including transport and treatment, was identified as a potential champion as it seeks more support including funding and capacity building to grow its business. Typically, despite their willingness, the sector agencies and municipalities are struggling in organizing the service providers along the value chain, be it the water operators or sanitation operators. There is a need for increased collaboration and synergy between agencies, municipalities, and the decentralized state services to develop/strengthen and enforce local regulatory framework aligned with the national directives in the sector. ASSESSING THE ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY OF THE UTILITIES AND DEVELOPING A PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLAN (PIP) - SONEB During this quarter, MuniWASH with the support of SEGURA continued to help assess SONEB’s organizational capacities. Two meetings were held with SONEB respectively on Feb 16, 2021, and March 18, 2021. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss and validate the data collection tools developed by SEGURA to assess the core organizational functions including planning and general management, human resources, finance, technical operations, and commercial systems. MuniWASH and SONEB agreed on the practical way to identify the interviewees at SONEB headquarters and departmental agencies as well as the best and effective means to undertake the survey using an online Google forms as the preferred approach. The forms have been drafted and reviewed by SONEB. Based on the assessment methodology, SONEB established a Coordination Group of seven members, representing the key directorates/functions identified. To set a clear collaboration framework between SONEB and MuniWASH for the various activities to be undertaken in addition to the capacity building activities, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was developed and shared with SONEB. All the documents are being analyzed by SONEB to provide feedback, which will lead the assessment kick-off.
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CONDUCTING A MARKET STUDY AND MAPPING OF SERVICE ACCESS AND IDENTIFYING APPROPRIATE SYSTEMS TO CATALYZE ACCESS This component of the feasibility studies started with qualitative and quantitative data collection. In order to comply with the rules and laws in both countries, the research protocol and data collection tools – for the quantitative households data – were developed and submitted to the National Statistics Council in Benin and to National Ethic Committee in Côte d'Ivoire for approval and issuance of ‘visas’ to allow the implementation of the survey. In Benin, the survey package was examined during the 5th session of the Commission du Programme des Enquêtes, Études et Traitements (CPEET) for 2021and the visa was granted a on March 5, 2021. In Côte d’Ivoire, the qualitative study was carried out in four municipalities: Abengourou, Yopougon, San Pedro and Bouake. Data was collected in two phases and started with the qualitative data in February 2021 including key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions with various actors in the sanitation value chain in the public sector, the private sector operators, and related organization and associations such as FENAVICI (Fédération Nationale des Vidangeurs de Côte d'Ivoire), SVAB (Société des Vidangeurs et d’Assainissement de Bouaké), well diggers association of Abengourou (who also performs manual emptying). The quantitative survey was subcontracted by PSI to ReWA, a private company specialized in quantitative studies. Quantitative data collection is planned from April 10 to 16, 2021, following training and orientation sessions of survey enumerators. In Benin, qualitative data was collected during the same period as in Côte d’Ivoire, in a sample of four municipalities including Cotonou, Aplahoué, Abomey-Calavi and So-Ava. Quantitative data was collected in the same municipalities. This latter was outsourced by PSI to a private firm and was completed by the end of March 2021. Data analysis is ongoing. The PSI team has worked in coordination with a Tetra Tech home office GIS Specialist to collect additional data to create a web-based map that will be fine-tuned and finalized with the results of the market studies in both countries. UNDERSTANDING THE WATER AND SANITATION BUSINESS ENABLING ENVIRONMENT MuniWASH identified the need for an external expertise to support this work and completed the recruitment process of one short-term consultant in each country. On January 21 and February 15, 2021, the inception meetings were virtually organized respectively in Benin and in Côte d’Ivoire to kick off the studies. The studies are expected to be completed and submitted as part of the feasibility studies package to USAID by end April. Initial findings show that if the sector was organized with the minimal legal and regulatory framework, there are no or very limited solutions addressing the challenges faced by the WASH private businesses. Some of the challenges faced by operators on this sector, which has a very strong social impact, are: 1) insufficient recognition of this specific profession with clear-cut and adequate policies that frame it, 2) limited or no adapted financial products/tax incentives, and 3) lack of organization and regulation of the market. Hence, recommendations are likely to be two-fold: those that need complete overhaul of the systems in place and might have to be backed by strong advocacies and other recommendations that can be easily addressed with direct actions and/or very few advocacies.
TASK 0.3: NEGOTIATE MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING In Côte d’Ivoire, prior to signing the MOU during the launch ceremony of MuniWASH held on December 8, 2020, only three municipalities held a municipal council session authorizing the Mayor to sign the MOU: Soubré, Bouaké and San Pedro. The validation and adoption of any type of covenant by the members of the council is mandatory for the mayor to have full power to sign it, according to the organization of municipalities in Côte d’Ivoire. Otherwise, the document can be opposed during its implementation.
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MuniWASH agreed with DGDDL and UVICOCI to allow the remaining municipalities to adopt and approve the MOU after the launch ceremony. In addition to the above listed municipalities, following municipalities have adopted the signed MOU to date: Abengourou, Yamoussoukro and Gagnoa (20 January 2021). The Municipalities of Yopougon and Abobo are expected to adopt the MOU during the next municipal council sessions. Abobo is planning to hold a municipal council session on April 20, 2021.
TASK 0.4: GRANTS UNDER CONTRACT (GUC) No activity under this task during the quarter. This activity will start after the feasibility studies are completed, and once activity interventions and support are defined in coordination with the relevant stakeholders.
TASK 5.3: GENDER ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY To achieve the project objectives of supporting the national ministries, agencies, directorates and municipalities to strengthen their capacities in gender and social inclusion, MuniWASH continued to hold technical working sessions this quarter with key actors in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. The objective was twofold. First, to introduce MuniWASH’s gender strategy to identify synergies of actions with the of partners and to identify priorities in terms of technical support. Second, to discuss potential collaboration along with the modalities of the cooperation with these key stakeholders. Below is a list of the meetings held during the quarter: • January 19 and March 11, 2021, with the ANCB gender and sanitation team. • January 22 and February 15, 2021, with the members of the Gender Unit of the Ministry of Living Environment and Sustainable Development, DAVU • January 26, 2021, with the National Water Partnership (PNE). • March 04, 2021, with the members of the Beninese Network of Women Water and Sanitation Professionals (RBFPEA). • March 22, 2021, with the members of the Ivorian Network of Women Water and Sanitation Professionals (RIFPEA). These exchanges allowed MuniWASH to identify the following priorities in terms of capacity building in gender and social inclusion: • Training in gender and social inclusion for gender units and gender focal points in technical ministries and target communes. • Strengthening the mechanism for monitoring and evaluating gender results. • Support for the development of advocacy, awareness and communication activities on gender and social inclusion. • The development of knowledge sharing activities on gender, water, and sanitation. This needs identification and prioritization exercise enabled MuniWASH to develop draft work plans for capacity building in gender and social inclusion for the gender units and the focal points for sectoral ministries (Ministère de l’Hydraulique in Côte d'Ivoire, Ministry of Livelihoods and Sustainable Development (Ministère du Cadre de Vie), DAVU / Department of Sanitation and Urban Roads in Benin) and for the municipalities in Benin through the ANCB. The work plans cover a period of three years.
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The implementation of these work plans will start next quarter after validation of these documents with the various partners. In addition, the GESI specialist started the preparation of training for partners including the development of a training manual on gender and social inclusion in the context of water and sanitation. This manual will serve as a basic tool for the gender focal points for training and sensitization of the staff of the technical ministries and the municipalities. The GESI specialist also provided support for gender mainstreaming in the implementation of the ISI tool in the communes of Avrankou in Benin, Soubré and Yopougon in Côte d'Ivoire. The specialist also has contributed to the integration of gender in the implementation of the baseline studies on the institutional and legal framework of operations and investments in the provision of water and sanitation services in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. Next quarter, the GESI specialist will proceed with the validation and the implementation of the work plans. MuniWASH will also finalize the development of the training manual and plan the first training session in gender and social inclusion for the gender unit of the Ministry of Hydraulics in Côte d'Ivoire. The GESI special will continue to interact with RIFPEA and RBFPEA to formalize the collaboration between MuniWASH and these two structures in the implementation of the gender strategy activities. Finally, MuniWASH will provide input on gender and social inclusion aspects in the development of the Capacity Building Plans of the communes of Benin and Côte d'Ivoire in the framework of the implementation of the ISI tool.
TASK 5.5: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION RISK MANAGEMENT The MuniWASH Environmental Mitigation and Management Plan (EMMP) identified activities that could have an impact on the environment as well as mitigation actions. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (MELP) along with the Environmental Review Report, EMMP, and Construction Risk Screening, which incorporated climate risk management, were approved by USAID on August 12, 2020. The EMMP will assess climate risk during the feasibility studies, which will affect the municipalities’ action plans. MuniWASH will also include climate change as a potential area of learning. Specific environmental and social management plans will be prepared for any construction site and submitted to USAID for approval before starting any activity. Site-specific recommendations for activities related to wastewater treatment and wastewater and fecal sludge management will be prepared and submitted for approval before implementation. MuniWASH has not yet identified the specific interventions that have a negative determination, therefore, site-specific environmental information was not known at the time of this report. The Environmental Review Report and related documents described activities that will be carried out by MuniWASH to comply with USAID’s environmental procedures.
SERVICE AREA 1: FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT (IR1: INCREASED FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN WATER AND SANITATION UTILITIES/SERVICE PROVIDERS)
TASK 1.1: ASSESS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND BUSINESS MODELS This task is included under Task 0.2 as part of the feasibility studies.
TASK 1.5: FACILITATE INCREASED INVESTMENT IN WASH SERVICES
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Component 1 of the feasibility studies will produce an investment pipeline and subsequent investment activities in each country. The feasibility studies are described under Task 0.2.
TASK 1.7: EXPAND SERVICE PROVIDER AND CUSTOMER ACCESS TO FINANCIAL PRODUCTS This task is linked to the results of the feasibility studies, in particular the market mapping and the organizational and financial performance of private water and sanitation service providers. The results of these studies, which are described under task 0.2, will inform the definition and refining of the business models that best match the landscape of the sanitation market and that can facilitate suppliers' access to financial products.
SERVICE AREA 2: OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY (IR2: IMPROVED OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY OF WATER AND SANITATION UTILITIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS)
TASK 2.1: CONDUCT MARKET MAPPING AND CUSTOMER SATISFACTION REVIEWS This task is developed under Task 0.2 (Prepare Feasibility Studies: Benin and Côte d'Ivoire) and is integral to the ongoing feasibility studies. Its subtasks include: market mapping of service coverage with stakeholders and customer survey; customer surveys to capture customer feedback on service quality and coverage; and GIS mapping to visualize service gaps. This task is carried out with the support of PSI. Its main purpose is to identify the range of consumers and develop archetypes for different types of potential customers that the market will need to serve. It is also backed by the general surveys undertaken in both countries by MuniWASH to set the baseline data for its key indicators. Furthermore, PSI and MuniWASH collaborated to finalize the terms of reference for the creation of a dynamic map on the web to visualize the data and make the right decisions. This task is led by the Tetra Tech Home Office GIS Specialist. During this quarter, the necessary map data was identified, and the collection has started. The first draft of the map is created and will be improved with information from the analysis of household data.
TASK 2.2: IMPROVE SERVICE PROVIDER BUSINESS PROCESSES IDENTIFY CAPACITY NEEDS TO IMPROVE BUSINESS PRACTICES OF WATER AND SANITATION UTILITIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS Activities to improve service provider business processes will be derived from the results of the ongoing analysis described under Task 0.2, which are integral of the feasibility studies. Nonetheless, the initial analysis shed light on some key challenges as follows: • Most of the WASH private sector operators are informal with no legal registration of their businesses. • Operators are often individuals with extremely insufficient equipment to become long-lasting and viable business. • Some private operators (VTOs) see the registration of their business as a threat to it because of tax burden and prefer the status quo and continue to run their business informally. This viewpoint leads them to miss important opportunities to grow.
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• They lack basic capacities and skills to run an effective business (bookkeeping, accounting, price setting, marketing, competition management, HR management, IT, etc.) • The apex associationss have limited to no capacities to make their voice heard and influence decisions made in the sector. • Operators are not held accountable to water quality standards. For instance, in Benin where PEAs are installed without quality testing poses a serious threat to public health. • Weak links or connection with the regulators including municipalities who have no control over these activities. Given the challenges, there is a great need for dissemination of information as well as capacity building for these private sector businesses to become strong and viable. Furthermore, there is the need to bridge the gap between these operators and the regulators, especially municipalities to ensure quality service delivery to the population. ESTABLISH WOMEN’S TASK FORCE/GENDER FOCAL POINTS TO REVIEW HIRING/PROMOTION CRITERIA/OTHER DISPARITIES During this quarter, MuniWASH organized discussion sessions with some key project partners to present the activities of the gender strategy. These include the technical ministries in charge of water and sanitation in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire, RIFPEA, the Beninese Network of Professional Women in Water and Sanitation (RBFPEA). MuniWASH took the opportunity of these meetings to sensitize these actors on the project of setting up a technical working group on Gender. These exchanges led to the establishment of a formal working framework with the last two structures mentioned in order to develop a common approach for this activity. In this perspective, MuniWASH and RIFPEA and RBFPEA will prepare the terms of reference for the next quarter which defines the missions assigned to this technical group.
TASK 2.3. IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY AND QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE This activity will be pursued during the next quarter (Y2Q3) and will be informed by the results of the market study and the baseline surveys as well as understanding gained from all the activities conducted around gender issues in both countries during this quarter.
TASK 2.4: EXPAND AND DIVERSIFY PRO-POOR SERVICES CATALOGUE AFFORDABLE AND CONTEXT-APPROPRIATE EMERGING INNOVATIONS FOR PRO-POOR SERVICES Under the sub-task of “Catalogue affordable and context-appropriate emerging innovations for pro-poor services,” the team conducted a desk review of innovative technologies with regard to the geographical conditions of the various municipalities and factors that hinder access to sanitation containment facilities in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire. The facilities identified were then ranked and prioritized according to their advantages, disadvantages, production costs, lessons learned, and especially the way they address the sanitation value chain. They were then shortlisted and listed in three distinct categories in line with the categories of areas formed by the municipalities (cf. Table 1 below). The identified prototypes will be concept-tested as part of the market research implementation, and the end results will further guide the team in deciding which options to scale up. In addition, in an inter-municipal approach, it is conceivable to set up decentralized treatment plants that could serve several surrounding municipalities.
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Table 1: Concept to be tested in the municipalities TYPE OF MUNICIPALITY CONCEPT TO BE AREA BENIN CÔTE D’IVOIRE TESTED Lakeside So- Ava Container Based System Deep watertable Allada – Aplahoué – Yopougon-Abobo Biodigester/Septic Avrankou – Abomey- tank/cesspool/Container Based Calavi – Bohicon System Low watertable BeniCotonou – Bouaké - Yamoussokro – Small septic tank with concrete Ouidah- Abengourou-Soubre – Gagnoa- rings/ Biodigester/ Container San Pedro Based System
ASSIST INTERESTED SANITATION SERVICE PROVIDERS TO COMPLETE FEASIBILITY ANALYSES FOR DIVERSIFICATION EFFORTS, INCLUDING MARKETING PRODUCTS TOWARD WOMEN Under this sub-task, MuniWASH will assist interested sanitation service providers to complete feasibility analyses for diversification efforts, including marketing products toward women. This activity will be after the feasibility studies once business models and processes are analyzed and a clear plan is developed to build the capacity of sanitation service providers.
TASK 2.5: IMPROVE ENABLING BUSINESS OPERATING ENVIRONMENT This task has been made integral to the feasibility studies and is described under Task 0.2.
SERVICE AREA 3: MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (IR3: ENHANCED WATER AND SANITATION SECTOR GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT CAPACITY AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL)
TASK 3.1: IMPLEMENT MUNICIPAL WASH ISI During Q2Y2, MuniWASH completed ISI in both countries except for one municipality in Côte d’Ivoire due to a case of force majeure. The sudden death of the Prime Minister and Mayor of Abobo resulted in the postponement of the workshop. MuniWASH completed ISI’s in five municipalities in Côte d’Ivoire (Bouaké, Yopougon, Yamoussoukro, Gagnoa, San Pedro) and six in Benin (Ouidah, Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, Allada, Bohicon, So-Ava). Both countries have a similar profile with the final ISI scores lower than 2 on the rating scale (1-4) as illustrated in the graph below. These figures reflect insufficient capacities within the municipalities to take full responsibility for their duties as far as water and sanitation service provision to the population is concerned. The next step will be to facilitate the development of the institutional strengthening plans (ISPs) with each individual municipality to address these capacity gaps.
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Figure 1: Summary of final score for ISI In both countries, key takeaways from the implementation of the ISIs are: • The municipalities perceive the ISI as a strong tool to assess themselves – like a ‘mirror’ that allows them to see weaknesses they used to ignore; • The ISI exercise is a framework that can help the key sector actors (municipalities, decentralized State services, utilities) to discuss and clarify their roles and responsibilities boundaries within the municipality; • For ISI implementation to be successful, it is critical to have a good mix of participants that include both technical people and local elected officials. The purpose is to connect technical needs and political willingness by involving both poles into face-to-face discussion and consensus; • The participative approach of ISI paves the way for ownership of the tool but also the ISPs; • The ISI tool showed there is not a big difference between ‘big municipalities’ (including capital cities) and ‘small municipalities’ as far as WASH is concerned as it tends to be lagging behind as a priority in both cases. CÔTE D’IVOIRE During the quarter, five ISI assessment sessions were held including the municipalities of San Pedro (February 8-9, 2021), Gagnoa (February 11-12, 2021), Bouake (February 23-24, 2021), Yamoussoukro (March 25-26, 2021) and Yopougon (March 23-24, 2021). Along with the first two ISI sessions in the municipalities of Abengourou (Sept 30-Oct 1, 2020) and Soubré (Dec 16-17, 2020), MuniWASH managed to conduct in total seven ISI assessment sessions, attended by 142 persons including 22 women. These figures do not include the municipality of Abobo whose ISI is yet to be implemented. On average each ISI session gathered 20 participants representing the municipal councils and services, the association of municipalities, regional deconcentrated departments of environment, construction, hydraulic, sanitation, and civil society. Scheduled in March 2021, the ISI assessment session in the Municipality of Abobo was postponed twice due the parliamentary electoral period (March 6, 2021) and the death and the funerals (March 8-19, 2021) of the Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko, who is the Mayor of the Municipality. So far, all the municipalities in Côte d’Ivoire have a similar WASH profile, with ISI scores within the same range (1.3 to 1.6). The analysis shows the underlying reasons of such a low performance are: insufficient technical staff and/or inadequate qualification; outdated or nonexistent strategies for the WASH sector at the municipality level; insufficient policy and procedures framing the municipal functions; inadequate or lack of equipment and technologies; low social inclusion and citizen participation; lack of data, effective M&E
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systems, and a culture to use evidence in decision-making processes; non-effective operating systems; and challenges related to compliance with rules and laws. The willingness of the municipalities in promoting social inclusion and gender mainstreaming is challenged by the lack of consistent policies and resources. Compared to other municipalities, San Pedro and Yopougon scored the highest even though there is room for improvement. In San Pedro, 24% of the municipal staff (300 total number of municipal staff) are women among which some are in positions of responsibility like the general secretariat, the mayor’s chief of cabinet, the department of Legal Affairs, Tax Collection Unit and Communication and Information Service. In Yopougon, even though 25% of the municipal staff (700) are women, only a few of them are Heads of Departments (Administration and Etat Civil and Social Services). The strong involvement of the central Government in local governance tends to limit the autonomy of the Municipalities in terms of budgeting, planning, and regulation. Quotes from participants:
Valentin Boni, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Gagnoa: “The exercise highlighted our weaknesses. We will build upon them to improve municipal services. For sure, on your next visit in the Municipality of Gagnoa, you will notice some changes over here.’’
Djedje Youeto, Member of the Municipal Council, Gagnoa, “’In this Municipality of Gagnoa, when it comes to recruitment process, each staff has his own story.’’
Korotoum Diomande, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Bouaké: “In the life cycle of an organization it is good for the Manager and staff to mark pauses and reflect on their performances. Are we on track, doing the right thing? Let us challenge ourselves to improve... It is all what ISI is about.’’
Jean Jacques Yapo, General Director, UVICOCI: “We are all looking for the best pathway to improve the municipal services. In this perspective, ISI seems to be an important tool. It allows us to assess and improve the performance of services delivery to citizens. ISI is a solution given to Municipal Councils and Services to be close to their constituents.”
Ketcho Toure, Head of Project Unit, MuniWASH Focal Point, UVICOCI: “Under MuniWASH Project, the Municipalities have a unique chance to go through ISI. After having taken part in the ISI assessment session with the Municipality of Yamoussoukro, we are all convinced that such a tool can improve municipal services. We also request MuniWASH to apply ISI assessment to UVICOCI, while tailoring the tool to the context and structure of our Institution.” BENIN During the Quarter, ISI workshops were held in the remaining six municipalities: Sô-ava (March 4-5, 2021), Allada (February 11-12, 2021), Bohicon (March 10-11, 2021), Ouidah (16-17, 2021), Abomey- Calavi (March 23-24, 2021) and Cotonou (March 25-26, 2021). In total, the ISI self-evaluation was successfully carried out in all the eight municipalities of the project in Benin. A total of 162 people, including 30 women, participated in the workshops, with various profiles including elected officials from the municipalities, executives from the communal administration, executives from the decentralized state services, representatives from SONEB, and representatives of civil society organizations. Additionally, ANCB, the Directorate General of Decentralized Authorities (DGCL) of the Ministry of Decentralization, and the USAID Activity Manager in Benin also took part in the workshop in the municipalities of Ouidah, Abomey Calavi, and Cotonou. Particularly in the municipality of Cotonou, the participation of women was outstanding (9 women out of 12 executives).
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On a rating scale of 1-4, the overall performance score of the municipalities ranges from 1.2 to 1.7. None of the municipalities was able to reach 2, which indicates there are capacity gaps to address. These gaps are related to the insufficient knowledge of existing legal and regulatory frameworks, rules and laws framing the WASH sector environment, outdated strategic and programmatic documents at the municipal level, the lack of collaboration at several levels, particularly Municipalities and SONEB, lack of mechanism for documenting and capitalizing on learning and training, frequent staff turnover, lack of gender policy, and insufficient equipment and tools (including computers). Overall, the job profile adequacy is largely met for the senior position like the heads of municipal departments and services and particularly in the municipality of Cotonou. However, for middle management positions and lower, the minimum capacity required is not always met. One challenge that emerged in the various workshops is the frequent staff turnover. In addition, the ISI workshops served as a framework for exchanges between these sector players and clarified the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector.
Quotes from participants Mrs. ALLADATIN Eménique, WASH Assistant at ANCB “I have a very good impression considering the quality of the debates. If we were able to have the sustained attention of the managers (directors, heads of department) for two days, it is because the exercise is well-received and the relevance of the session was perceived by them. This is a real satisfaction... MuniWASH's approach is very good and stands out from what we have seen so far in other projects. We would very much appreciate to have an ISI workshop for the ANCB.” TCHABI Wilfried, representative of the DGCL “ISI is a tool that I did not know about. It’s a true feeling of satisfaction to me. I hope that this tool will also be implemented in other municipalities of Benin that are not MuniWASH partners.” Chairman of the Energy and Water Commission at the Municipality of Abomey Calavi, Mr. DENAKPO Romain “This is the first time I am participating in such an exercise. I hope that the USAID MuniWASH project will provide us with solutions based on the diagnosis to make the municipal administration more efficient; I will faithfully report to my other elected colleagues.” MEGNINOU Dieudonné, Director of Technical Services at the Mayor of Abomey Calavi “It’s a total satisfaction to me...we welcome this kind of self-assessment.”
TASK 3.6: INCREASE CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT IN WASH SERVICE DELIVERY The MuniWASH team started the identification of the civil society organizations (CSOs) that intervene in the WASH sector in both countries. BENIN Using the focal points in the target municipalities, the Global Water Partnership (GWP) hosted by the National Water Partnership (PNE) and the ANCB, the team identified and listed civil society organizations involved in WASH. These CSOs established umbrella organizations at national and local levels. National level:
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• CANEA (Cadre des Acteurs Non Etatiques du secteur Eau et Assainissement): a consultation framework for non-state actors in the water and sanitation sector to promote water and sanitation services. CANEA members carry out awareness raising, advocacy, capacity building and support to municipalities • RBFPEA (Réseau Béninois des Femmes Professionnelles de l’Eau et l’Assainissement): Beninese Network of Professional Women in Water and Sanitation • ABEE (Association Béninoise Eau et Electricité): Beninese Association of Water and Electricity Consumers • EEET (Association Eau et Electricité pour Tous): Association Water and Electricity for All • Maison de la Société civile - ONG ALCRER - Réseau Social Watch which are civil society organizations that promote citizen participation at the local level Municipal level: • The Cellules de Participation Citoyenne (CPC) set up in the 77 communes of Benin by the NGO ALCRER, SOCIAL WATCH, and the Social Watch Network. The CPCs consist of 15 civil society organizations from each municipality with the purpose of undertaking activities on mobilization, information, involvement, advocacy and monitoring. They aim to support the population at the local level in their aspirations for a better management of public affairs that favor transparency, integrity, accountability, and equity. The CPCs are present in all MuniWASH target municipalities. • The Associations of Drinking Water Consumers (ACEP – Association des Consommateurs d’Eau Potable) ensure citizen control of the public water service. The ACEP's mission is to represent users, help the municipality to better monitor the water supply service, and defend the interests of users against SONEB. The ACEP is present in most MuniWASH municipalities. However, they are more active in Bohicon and Avrankou and less so in the other municipalities. • AUAEAN: Association des Usagers et Acteurs de l'Eau et de l'Assainissement de Nokoué (Nokoué Water and Sanitation Users and Stakeholders Association), set up by the NGO EMAUS. This association has its branch in Sô-ava • There are also local NGOs working in the sector at the municipal level.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE MuniWASH contacted CSOs engaged in WASH sector both at the national and municipal levels. At the national level, the CSOs identified are structured and specialized in thematic areas focusing on WASH, including gender, media and information, and customer defense. In the municipalities, issues related to WASH service delivery involve mostly customer associations and community leaders. The activities of customer associations are not incorporated in an action plan. These are spontaneous interventions related to crisis situations such as lack of water in some neighborhoods, no access to WASH services, and poor quality of water. National level: • RIFPEA Réseau Ivoirien des Femmes Professionnelles de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement ; • ACCI Fédération des Associations des Consommateurs de Côte d’Ivoire;
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• EFOPD Chaire de l’Unesco, ‘’Eau, Femmes et Pouvoir de Décisions’’; • UFC-CI Union Fédérale des Consommateurs de Côte d’Ivoire; • WASH JNCI Réseau des Journalistes pour l’Eau, l’Assainissement et l’Hygiène. Municipal level: • Association des Consommateurs in all the eight municipalities; • Bouaké – Plateforme de la Société Civile (PSPD) de Bouaké; • Soubré – Association des Consommateurs Solidaires de la Région du Nawa (ACSRN) ; • Yopougon – Group Espoirs. During the next Quarter, MuniWASH will start engaging these CSOs to implement activities to improve their capacities and enable them to fully play their roles in the WASH sector. Beside these, there are activities foresaw in the ISPs to promote civil society engagement including the following: • Strengthen municipality citizen engagement. • Support the associations of municipalities for a greater municipal oversight. • Inform the associations of municipalities of municipal rights under law and inform and support advocacy efforts. • Build the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in advocacy skills for public education and awareness regarding the WASH service delivery.
TASK 3.7: CONDUCT SOCIAL AUDITS OF WASH SERVICES During Q1Y2, the ISPs adopted for Abengourou and Aplahoue included the use of social audits to ensure that service delivery is equitable and transparent and serves the poor and underserved population. MuniWASH will facilitate the implementation of social audits to enable citizens to evaluate the performance of government institutions and increase transparency while increasing the pressure to fulfill the needs of their constituents. In Côte d’Ivoire, as part of the preparation of activities related to social audits on WASH services in the Municipalities, MuniWASH opened discussions with DGDDL, UVICOCI, and the Municipal Councils of Abengourou, Bouaké, San Pedro to develop a common understanding around the issues and determine the best approaches to address them. Even though conducting social audits is not formally established by the law at municipal level, municipalities are requested by law to be open to their constituencies to hold public consultations and report on their budget and projects. Municipalities already have an experience on public consultations. With the support from OTI/CITI Program (2012 - 2014) [Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) and its Côte d'Ivoire Transition Initiatives (CITI) Program] and GIZ, some municipalities such Abengourou, Bouake, Yopougon and Abobo went through participatory budgeting process. MuniWASH will take advantage of this framework to conduct social audits on WASH services in the municipalities as included in Task 3.7. In Benin, as part of this activity, the MuniWASH team conducted a desk review as well as discussions with the PNE to determine the current status of social audits in WASH. It emerged that a legal framework exists in Benin with provisions that constitute the legal basis for social audits called “accountability” in the texts and which covers all areas of competence of the municipalities including water and sanitation. Also, the practice of accountability in the municipalities is systematically monitored
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as part of the FADeC (Fonds d'Appui au Développement des Communes) audits conducted each year by CONAFIL (Commission Nationale des Finances Locales). In addition, there is a national guide for accountability at municipal level in Benin produced by the Ministry of decentralization and local governance. In the specific sector of WASH, a mapping of integrity risks is being carried out by PNE with the support of WIN (Water Integrity Network) and SNV (not-for-profit international development organization). Many partnerships exist today to promote accountability in the municipalities. This is the case of the Maison de la Société Civile, NGO ALCRER, Social Watch Network, etc. There is ongoing work to provide information on the water and sanitation sector, to bring elected officials and administration executives to fulfill their obligation, and to support citizens and CSOs to demand accountability from those in power at the local level.
TASK 3.8: CLARIFY AND STRENGTHEN THE WASH REGULATORY FRAMEWORK This task aims to lead stakeholders through discussions to map out and clarify the roles, especially those of the municipalities as provided in the legal and regulatory framework. In Benin, the Government has taken steps to clarify the roles and missions of the different ministries and agencies in charge of water and sanitation. Although there is a notable effort to clarify the roles of municipalities in both countries, several challenges remain. The challenge as found during engagement with stakeholders and workshops discussions is the enforcement of the laws defining those roles and the insufficient knowledge municipal staff have about their roles in the WASH sector. MuniWASH started to facilitate these discussions during ISI workshops as most of the relevant stakeholders attended. The ISI workshops served as a framework for exchanges between these different actors. Moreover, the ISI workshops allowed for a clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders of the WASH sector. The stakeholders were led in the workshops to reflect on the mapping of municipal functions with respect to the legal framework and ongoing reforms. MuniWASH intends to facilitate further discussions to validate the study on the enabling environment and work toward building capacity of the staff and sensitizing them to enforce the existing laws.
SERVICE AREA 4: REGIONAL LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING (IR4: INCREASED REGIONAL LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING TO REPLICATE SUCCESSFUL APPROACHES)
TASK 4.1: ESTABLISH A LEARNING AGENDA AND COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE After the signing of the MOUs with the municipalities in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire, MuniWASH developed and shared the terms of reference for the establishment of a municipal community of practice in the water and sanitation sector named Communauté de Pratique Municipal WASH (CPM / WASH). The project organized a series of meetings with the association of municipalities (ANCB and UVICOCI) to collect comments, inputs, and suggestions on the implementation of CPM / WASH. In Benin, on January 28, 2021, the DCOP and the Country Manager took advantage of a working session with the ANCB to discuss the issue. During the discussions, Mr. Sègla LIHOUSSOU, Executive Director of the ANCB and Ms. Alladatin Emenique, WASH Assistant at the ANCB, while welcoming this initiative, suggested to the MuniWASH team to do everything possible to guarantee a dynamic operation of this community of practice. Mr. Lihoussou suggested to the MuniWASH project "to develop very attractive themes so that the municipalities are interested in this community of practice.” These could be themes on good and best practices in strategic planning and resource mobilization for the financing of the water and sanitation sector by municipalities, technological innovations on tools and equipment for
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management, municipal water and sanitation services, and models of success in strengthening the regulatory framework for the WASH sector. In Côte d'Ivoire, on 7 February 2021, MuniWASH met with the Union des Villes et Communes de Côte d'Ivoire (UVICOCI) represented by Ms. Arlette Badou N’Guessan and Mr. Touré Kétcho, respectively Secretary General and Deputy Director of Planning at UVICOCI. The purpose of the meeting was to create, set up, and organize a community of practice focused on management of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) for local municipalities. The proposed communities of practice will bring together mayors and those in charge of technical or operational services in the municipalities to share knowledge and build on successful methods of managing water and sanitation services. To create these beneficial entities, MuniWASH is bringing together municipal actors, with the support of ANCB in Bénin and UVICOCI in Côte d'Ivoire. These two organizations represent all municipalities in each country, which makes them ideal partners to identify needs and support collaboration between municipalities and the project UVICOCI, through its Secretary General Ms. Arlette Badou N'Guessan welcomed the idea of establishing a community of practice hosted by the Union of Cities and Municipalities of Côte d'Ivoire. She also said she was interested in promoting the use and ownership of this platform by UVICOCI core team and members. The next meetings will focus on implementation of CPM / WASH.
TASK 4.2: COLLECT AND DOCUMENT LESSONS LEARNED Under this component of the project, MuniWASH in collaboration with the AfWASA produces and disseminates Learning Notes for the benefit of stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector in Africa. During this quarter Y2Q2, the first three Learning Notes produced by MuniWASH and AfWASA were co-branded and disseminated by the association on its knowledge-sharing platform. The three Learning Notes published are here below: • MuniWASH: Lessons Learned from the Participatory and Inclusive Approach to Preselecting Target Municipalities in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire • USAID MuniWASH – Role of Municipalities in the Provision of Water and Sanitation Services in Benin • USAID MuniWASH – Role of Municipalities in the Provision of Water and Sanitation Services in Côte d’Ivoire Also, in order to facilitate the process of reviewing and distributing the Learning Notes, the Knowledge Sharing and Communication specialists from both organizations namely MuniWASH and AfWASA held a working session to standardize the validation mechanism for learning products. The following validation procedures were adopted by both entities. For MuniWASH: • MuniWASH will submit to AfWASA for editing on the technical aspects draft versions of the learning notes. • Once MuniWASH receives the comments version, it will reflect the inputs and submit a revised version for submission to USAID. AfWASA will also ensure the graphic compliance to the co- branding agreement. • MuniWASH will submit to USAID for comments and approval, the above version of the learning notes. The learning notes approved by USAID will be published on AfWASA knowledge sharing platform.
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For AfWASA: • The GPC specialist will have a period of 7 to 14 days to make all his contributions on the document • The Communication Manager will have 3 to 7 working days to check graphic compliance • The Communication Manager will produce a press release to inform the WASH community of the publication of a new learning note by AfWASA. The implementation of this approach will streamline the publication of Learning Notes.
TASK 4.3: DOCUMENT AND DISSEMINATE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES The feasibility studies are underway and for the various components, the consultants and the project dedicated teams are reporting good progress towards the achievement of the objectives of the studies. MuniWASH will organize a validation of the results and findings of the feasibility studies during workshops organized with the participation of the key relevant stakeholders. The documentation of investment opportunities and their dissemination is the last activity of this iterative and participatory process.
TASK 4.4: DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH STRATEGY During this quarter, communication activities focused on the dissemination strategy of MuniWASH publications and knowledge products. MuniWASH was able to secure two pages inserts in the AfWASA's water and sanitation sector news magazine. In issue 129 of the magazine "AfWASA News" two pages were devoted to an article on the activities of MuniWASH. This quarterly magazine has a circulation of more than 500 copies and is distributed during the meetings of the AfWASA. These meetings such as the scientific and technical council are now held online due to the health context. Thus, the version of this magazine is also distributed to the database of contacts of professionals in the WASH sector with over 7000 subscribers.
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Figure 2 - Screen shot of MuniWASH news in AfWASA News Magazine In addition the three Learning Notes developed by MunIWASH have been published on the AfWASA's knowledge sharing platform accessible at https://www.afwakm.com/publications/ Also during this quarter, the communication team increased dissemination of these three Learning Notes co-branded with the AfWASA logo as required by the donor. These notes have been also published on the platform following the different links below: • Lessons Learned from the Participatory and Inclusive Approach to Preselecting Target Municipalities In Benin and Côte d’Ivoire - https://www.pseau.org/outils/biblio/resume.php?d=9318&l=fr • Role of Municipalities in the Provision of Water and Sanitation Services in Benin - https://www.pseau.org/outils/biblio/resume.php?d=9317&l=fr • Leçons apprises d'un processus participatif et inclusif de sélection des municipalités/communes bénéficiaires au Benin et en Côte d'Ivoire - https://www.pseau.org/outils/biblio/resume.php?d=9318&l=fr PSEAU platform is an online library that makes available all resources of all kinds in the water and sanitation sector in the world. The communication team has also published these three Learning Notes on the project's SuSanA account, which has so far registered more than 2467 visitors compared to 1000 readers last quarter. The moderator of the SuSanA forum has responded positively to the request to publish in the SuSanA library the Learning Notes produced by MuniWASH, which can be seen here.
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Finally, during this quarter, an article was published in the USAID regional newsletter about the official notification meeting for the selection of MuniWASH beneficiary municipalities: West Africa Regional Economic Bulletin, January 2021 (mailchi.mp) Over the next quarter, the communications team will be gathering information for at least two new publications on MuniWASH project activities. The next quarter should also see the production of two new Learning Notes.
TASK 4.5: PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FORMAL LEARNING
Figure 3 - Screen shot of FSM6 – FSM Heroes MuniWASH has included in its work plan the participation in events in the water and sanitation sector around the world. The sixth edition of the Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) Conference which is a high- level exchange meeting for the water and sanitation sector in the world, will be held in 2021. Scheduled for May 31, 2021 to June 04, 2021 in Jakarta (Indonesia), the conference will be maintained for the proposed dates but transformed the participation into virtual and not face-to-face. FSM6 offers the opportunity for industry professionals, governments, decision makers, utilities, development partners, investors, industry and other service providers to coordinate, develop and share experiences to provide affordable and viable solutions on a large scale. MuniWASH aims to support the municipalities in West Africa with the provision of technical assistance to enable the project municipalities to fully exercise the functions transferred by the national government in terms of water and sanitation. The project goal is to strengthen the municipalities to provide proven leadership in the provision of water and sanitation services to grassroots populations, especially the underserved and the vulnerable. The FSM6 with the topics covered offer the opportunity for the ridge and the project team to learn further from practical cases on the roles of emptying actors in sanitation, service delivery for low-income communities, income barrier, on levels of service related to gender, equality and inclusive sanitation at the urban scale, etc. MuniWASH will support the participation of eight people in FSM6 including representative from the following organizations: • ANCB (Association Nationale des Communes du Bénin) - Bénin • UVICOCI (Union des Villes et Communes de la Côte d’Ivoire) – Côte d’Ivoire • DAVU (Direction de l’Assainissement et de la Voirie Urbaine) - Benin • ONAD (Office Nationale de l’Assainissement et du Drainage) – Côte d’Ivoire
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TASK 4.6: FACILITATE PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING
Figure 4 - Screen shoot of MuniWASH Webinar of 11 Feb 2021 In the second quarter of Year 2 of the project, MuniWASH started the organization of learning events co-hosted by AfWASA and MuniWASH. On Thursday February 11, 2021, MuniWASH and AfWASA organized a webinar on the ISI process. This regional learning event was moderated by the AFWASA. Organized on the Microsoft Teams platform, this webinar saw the participation of the 16 project municipalities accompanied by the national ridge of Benin ANCB (National Association of Municipalities of Benin) and Ivory Coast UVICOCI (Union of Cities and Communes of Côte d'Ivoire). In addition to the project beneficiaries, MuniWASH focal persons in both countries and USAID REGO Mission member’s took part in this learning event. The objective of the regional event is to "share the experience of ISI assessment through exchanges between municipalities" and included: • Presenting the interest of the pilot communes of Abengourou (Ivory Coast) and Aplahoué (Benin) for the ISI tool; • Sharing failure, success, lessons, and recommendations at the end of the ISI process; • Present the benefits of the implementation of the ISI for the pilot municipalities; • Share the first reforms adopted by the municipalities as a prelude to the effective implementation of ISI; • Facilitate a better understanding and appropriation of the ISI approach for municipalities who are planning to implement the tool in the future; • Encourage municipalities to better prepare for future ISI evaluations. Panelists at this webinar were Ms. Edy Yeboué, Educational Training Advisor, currently Deputy Mayor of the municipality of Abengourou (Côte d'Ivoire) and Mr. Emmanuel MOUZOU, Secretary General of the
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City of Aplahoué (Benin). Moderation was provided by Mr. Siméon KENFACK, Director of Programs of AFWASA based in Abidjan. The webinar gave municipalities a better understanding of the ISI self-assessment tool. The evaluations, although initially received with great mistrust, ultimately convinced the municipalities by leading them to identify their weaknesses themselves and consider corrective options.
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4 MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING
The second quarter of this fiscal year (January to March 2021) was marked by the preparation and implementation of the household survey data collection. This survey will provide data on the baseline status of indicators on household wealth quintile, access to water and sanitation, as well as monitoring of indicators on those with improved quality of service from an existing or safely managed basic drinking water service and those with improved quality of service for sanitation from an existing limited or basic service. During this quarter, the MEL team worked on the logistical preparation of the household survey, the training of research assistants (interviewers and monitors) and their deployments, and organizing the supervision and quality assurance of the data collected in the sixteen (16) communes of project intervention in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. The team also held briefing and capacity building sessions for the technical staff on the MEL plan and the indicators of the MuniWASH project to enable them to master data collection as well as the mechanisms inherent in the production of quality data for useful reporting for the steering and accountability to USAID.
THE HOUSEHOLD SURVEY PROCESS
LOGISTICAL PREPARATION OF THE HOUSEHOLD SURVEY AND TRAINING During this phase, the MEL team worked on administrative and logistical tasks before the survey began, which involved contacting the communal authorities to obtain their agreement to participate in the survey, validating the list of interviewers selected in their commune, and appointing the controllers who will supervise the survey at the commune level and ensure data quality control. In addition, this phase also made it possible to start mapping work. This required the technical support of the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Analysis (INSAE) in Benin and the National Institute of Statistics (INS) in Côte d'Ivoire to draw and print maps of the enumeration zones (ZD – Zone de Dénombrement) that constitute the collection areas selected for the MuniWASH household survey. Thus, 89 zone of collect were selected in Benin, compared to 114 in Côte d'Ivoire. They are distributed as follows: Table 2: Distribution of the number of collection areas by municipality MUNICIPALITY ENUMERATION MUNICIPALI ENUMERATION BENIN AREA SELECTED TY CIV AREA SELECTED Abomey-Calavi 11 Abobo 14 Allada 11 Abengourou 14 Aplahoué 11 Bouaké 14 Avrankou 11 Gagnoa 14 Bohicon 11 San-Pedro 14 Cotonou 12 Soubré 14 Ouidah 11 Yamoussoukro 14 So-Ava 11 Yopougon 15 Total 89 Total 114
Once the maps were made available, the training of interviewers and supervisors was planned. First, virtual focus groups were created, and then the interviewers received the documents (questionnaires, manuals, and guides) by email before the training began. Three waves of training were organized with a few people ranging from 16 to 24. The theoretical training was held online via Teams and covered the
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basics of conducting household interviews, followed by two days of practical interviewing in the pilot sites. These pilots allowed the team to better quantify the workload of the agents daily and to review and improve the tools. In total, 128 interviewers (64 in Côte d'Ivoire and 64 in Benin) and 16 supervisors (8 in Côte d'Ivoire and 8 in Benin) were mobilized as human resources for the survey and were trained and deployed to collect data in households.
HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DATA COLLECTION PROCESS Data collection began with the deployment of enumerators to the field after the training sessions, with a two-week break in Benin and a one-week break in Côte d'Ivoire due to the health of those involved in training and supporting the MEL team. Each team formed was generally composed of a man and a woman who worked together in the enumeration areas. They were responsible for contacting local authorities, walking through their assigned cluster or collection area to understand its boundaries, and making selections using the maps provided to them by the MuniWASH project from the General Population Census mapping/enumeration. To allow for the normal movement of teams from one collection area to another, contacts were made prior to the team's arrival in the collection area. Before leaving the area, the team checked the completeness of the completed and submitted questionnaires. If necessary, an update was made as appropriate. Table 3: Completion of household questionnaires as of 22/03/2021 NUMBER OF NUMBER OF COUNTRY QUESTIONNAIRES QUESTIONNAIRES COMPLETENESS EXPECTED RECEIVED Bénin 2048 1728 84,40% Côte d’Ivoire 2260 2259 99,99%
Data collection has been completed in all communes in Côte d'Ivoire, while it is 75% complete (6 communes out of 8) in Benin. The communes of Avrankou and Abomey Calavi are the last to be deployed, and they will complete data collection by early April.
SUPERVISION AND DATA QUALITY ASSURANCE Supervision was provided primarily by the monitors, who are the MuniWASH project focal points in the supported municipalities. They were in the field to identify problems for the interviewers and facilitated the interviewers' entry into the collection areas and households. Wherever possible, they ensured the mobilization of participants for individual interviews and focus groups. Technical problems that are not within their area of expertise such as internet connectivity and identification of mapping zones are reported to the technical team monitoring the survey. They were studied and the solutions adopted were disseminated to all field staff for implementation and behavioral adjustment. Since the data collection was electronic, the monitoring team checked the completeness of the data daily and produced data quality tables. This allows for the correction of visible inconsistencies and re-energizes the supervisory team in its role as well as the interviewers.
STAFF TRAINING ON DATA COLLECTION TOOLS FOR INDICATORS Planned in two phases, the first phase of this training involved the MuniWASH project technical staff. This training took place in the MuniWASH project premises in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire and mobilized all members of the technical team. The different components of the MEL plan were shared and discussed with the technical team. These are mainly aspects related to the project's data collection plan and the
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role of each actor in the information feedback loop. This mini workshop identified the needs in terms of primary supports or means of verifying the information shared by the partners. These tools should be put in place in the coming months to operationalize the MuniWASH monitoring and evaluation system. The next step of this training will be to train partners and other stakeholders on the mechanism and MEL plan of the project for better ownership and sustainability of achievements.
PERFORMANCE OF INDICATORS During this quarter, the level of the indicators varied compared to the previous quarter. Performance is noticeable in Intermediate Result 4, where three Learning Notes developed in Year 1 and validated in a participatory process with USAID, were co-branded by AfWASA and published during this quarter. The table below provides an overview of the status of the process.
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Table 4: : Performance Indicator Table Performance Indicator Table
ACHIEVEMENT YEAR 2 INDICATOR DISAG. FREQ. BASELINE REMARK YEAR 1 TARGET ACTUAL Objective: Improved and expanded urban water and sanitation services in Benin and Côte d’Ivoire that fill critical needs and reach poor and underserved populations through support to city governments, sanitation directorates, utilities, and other relevant institutions O.1 # of people receiving improved service quality from an existing basic drinking or Country, Sex, safely managed water service as a result of Age, Wealth Annual 0 0 5000 0 USG assistance Quintile (HL.8.1-3) O.2 # of people receiving improved Country, Sex, sanitation service quality from an existing Age, Wealth Annual 0 0 5000 0 limited or basic service (HL.8.2-7) Quintile O.3 # of water and sanitation sector Country, institutions strengthened to manage water Sector, resources or improve water supply and Institution Annual 0 0 18 0 sanitation services as a result of USG Scale, assistance (HL.8.3-3) Municipality O.4 # of persons trained with USG assistance to advance outcomes consistent with gender equality or female Country, Sex, Annual 0 0 64 0 empowerment through their roles in public Age, Job Type or private sector institutions or organizations (GNDR-8) O.5 % of female participants in USG-assisted Country, Age, programs designed to increase access to Numerator, Annual 0% 0 5% 0% productive economic resources (assets, Denominator credit, income or employment) (GNDR-2) O.6 # of initiatives, programs, and practices implemented by utilities and WASH sector Country, Stage Annual 0 0 0 0 entities to promote gender equality
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IR 1: Increased financial sustainability of and private sector investment in water and sanitation utilities/service providers Country, 1.1 % increase in water utility and sanitation Municipality, TBD 0% 5% 0% service delivery revenue Service Country, 1.2 Water utility and sanitation enterprise Municipality, Annual 80% 0% 0% 0% collection rate Service Sector, W: 0 $ W: 0 $ W: 0 $ 1.3 Value of new funding mobilized to the Country, water and sanitation sectors as a result of Funding Annual $0 S: 0 $ S: 0 $ S: 0 $ USG assistance (HL.8.4-1) Source, Funding Type E: 0,5 M $ E: 0,5 M $ E: 0,5 M $ IR 2: Improved operational reliability of water and sanitation utilities/service providers Country, 2.1 % improvement on Customer Service Sector, Annual TBD 0% 5% 0% Survey Baseline Municipality Country, 2.2 # of sanitation and water enterprises Sector, Annual 0 0 90 0 strengthened Municipality IR 3: Enhanced water and sanitation sector governance and management capacity at the municipal level Country, Municipality, 3.1 Percent of USG-assisted organizations Numerator, Annual 0% 0% 25% 0% with improved performance (CBLD-9) Denominator, Type of organization 3.2 % change in budget appropriations for Country, Annual 0% 0% 0% 0% WASH by targeted local governments Municipality IR 4: Increased regional learning and knowledge sharing to replicate successful approaches 4.1 # of learning events to discuss learning, practice adaptive management, and increase Country Annual 0 10 19 dissemination of lessons learned The publication of 4.2 # of Municipal WASH Learning Notes the 03 Learning and how-to guides co-branded with Country Annual 0 0 6 3 Notes was AfWASA disseminated completed .
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5 PROJECT STAFFING, MANAGEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATION
PERSONNEL The Enterprise Support and Business Performance Advisor for the Benin office joined the Activity during the second quarter of Year 2 of MuniWASH. The remaining positions, vacant in both countries, are the following: • The Finance & Investment Advisor for Côte d’Ivoire Office – Replacement. • The Finance & Investment Advisor for Benin Office.
REGULAR REPORTING AND SUMMARY OF Q1Y2 CONTRACT DELIVERABLE As required under the contract Section F.6, the deliverables submitted to USAID as of March 2021 are summarized in the table below: Table 5: Deliverable Status
DELIVERABLE TIMEFRAME LANGUAGE NOTES Branding and Marking Plan Draft due 30 calendar days after award English Submitted on Oct 9, 2019 Approved on Nov 6, 2019 Initial Annual Work Plan Draft due 60 calendar days after Task English Submitted Nov 15, 2019 (AWP) Order award date Approved on Feb 10, 2020 Summary AWP Draft due 15 business days upon French Submitted Feb 26, 2020 receipt of Task Order Contracting Approved on Feb 26, 2020 Office Representative (TOCOR) acceptance of Final Work Plan Annual Work Plan Year 2 English Submitted Aug 15, 2020 Draft due 30 calendar days prior to the (AWP) expiration of each Activity year (Aug Approved on Dec 9, 2020 15, 2020) French Submitted Dec 23, 2020 Within 15 business days upon receipt of TOCOR acceptance of Final Work Awaiting USAID’s approval Plan MELP, including gender Draft due 30 calendar days after English Draft submitted on March 11, analysis TOCOR approval of the Initial Work 2020. Plan Approved on Aug 12, 2020 Management Plan Draft due 30 calendar days after English Year 1: Draft submitted on Mar TOCOR approval of the Initial Work 11, 2020 / Approved on May 10, Plan 2020 Year 2: Due May 10, 2021 Environmental Review, Draft due 30 calendar days after English Draft submitted on March 11, EMMP, Construction Risk TOCOR approval of the Initial Work 2020 Screening Plan Approved on Aug 12, 2020 Status of partnership Include status in Annual Reports English Draft submitted on Oct 15, 2020 MOUs with AfWASA and Approved on Nov 27, 2020 others, as appropriate Location Selection Criteria Draft due no later than 3 months after French and Submitted on Dec 16, 2019 Task Order award start date English Approved on Mar 6, 2020 Needs Assessment Draft due within the first 9 months English Submitted on Jun 15, 2020 after Task Order award date Approved on Oct 29, 2020 French Submitted on Nov 18, 2020 Within 20 business days upon receipt of TOCOR acceptance of final English Approved on Feb 23, 2021 version
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DELIVERABLE TIMEFRAME LANGUAGE NOTES Feasibility Study Draft due 6 months following location English Due on Feb 24, 2020. Six months selection approval after the approval of the location selection of Aug 24, 2020. Revised due date: April 30, 2021 Within 20 business days upon receipt French of TOCOR acceptance of final English version Grants Manual Draft due within 3 months of Task English Submitted on Dec 16, 2020 Order award Approved on Feb 20, 2020 Quarterly Progress Draft due 10 calendar days after the English Y1Q1 submitted on Jan 10, 2020 Reports and Financial end of each quarter / approved on Feb 10, 2020 Reports Y1Q2 submitted on Apr 10, 2020 / approved on Jun 22, 2020 Y1Q3 submitted on Jul 11, 2020 and approved on Oct 6, 2020 Y2Q1 submitted on Jan 9, 2021 and approved on Mar 30, 2021. Y2Q2: Due on Apr 10, 2021 Within 20 business days upon receipt French Y1Q3 submitted on Oct 20, 2020 of TOCOR acceptance of final English / approved on Oct 21, 2020 version Y2Q1: Due on 27 Apr 2021 West African regional French and Municipal WASH Annually Y2Q2 – 1 regional event English workshop/event Annual Report Year 1 Draft due no later than 15 calendar Submitted on Oct 15, 2020 English days after the end of the FY Approved on Nov 27, 2020 Submitted on Dec 13,2020 / French Awaiting USAID approval
MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
ADAPTION OF THE ACTIVITY Under the period of reporting, no changes in the activity were required. No change of geographic location or changes to strategic elements of the Activity were identified during this period. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic situation along with the restriction measures, future changes in the activity are being considered. Tetra Tech is continuing to assess the impacts on MuniWASH activities, and the results are communicated to USAID.
MODIFICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS On December 1, 2020, Tetra Tech requested a modification to the Section F Deliverables Tables in the MuniWASH task order. The purpose of the modification is to accurately represent the Performance Work Statement of the MuniWASH regarding the national and regional events of the Activity. The Contracting Officer concurred with the request on February 8, 2021. On February 10, Tetra Tech requested a modification to the Section F Deliverables Tables in the MuniWASH task order. The purpose of the modification is to request approval for a later submission of the feasibility studies. On March 11, 2021, the Contracting Officer granted a revised due date for April 30, 2021.
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6 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
CHALLENGES Challenges MuniWASH faced during the second quarter of Year 2: COVID-19 PANDEMIC The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a global problem that continues to impact activities implementation. MuniWASH organized all the in-person workshops and meetings in compliance with restrictions measures provided in the countries and by USAID, for instance limiting attendees to a maximum of 25 persons. During this Quarter, MuniWASH Benin office closed for two weeks because of a case of Covid-19 among the staff. This situation affected several activities including the implementation of ISI, the feasibility studies and the household surveys which were rescheduled. ELECTORAL PERIOD IN BENIN In the run up to the presidential election in Benin on April 11, 2021, even though the electoral campaigns was officially launched on March 29, activities of the municipalities were affected during the period of reporting. Elected officials along with the technical personnel of the municipalities were in several aspects involved with the preparation of the elections. This impacted ISI implementation in Cotonou as it was organized from March 25 to 26, 2021. This period slowed down activities with municipalities. Key dates are as follows: • Election day: April 11, 2021 • Results: April 20-25, 2021 • Second campaign period (if the first election is not conclusive): April 26 – May 7, 2021 • Second election day: May 9, 2021 • Results of second election: May 18, 2021 • Swearing-in of President: May 23, 2021 LIMITS IN BUILDING PARTNERSHIP MuniWASH is still facing challenges to have working relationships with some key partner from WASH sector. ONEP, ONAD, and SODECI hardly respond to MuniWASH meeting and audience requests. As part of the feasibility studies conducted by STTAs MuniWASH managed to establish contact with resources persons within ONEP. Under ISI implementation, MuniWASH shared the sessions schedule and invitations to the partners. Only UVICOCI participated in an ISI assessment session (Yamoussoukro, February 25-26, 2021). Even though ONEP and ONAD did not respond to the invitations, their representatives at municipal level usually take part in the sessions meaning Regional Departments of Hydraulic and Sanitation. This situation has a negative impact on some activities, which MuniWASH has had difficulty carrying out, such as assessing and building the capacity of SODECI (similar to what is being done with its counterpart in Benin (SONEB) under Task 0.2) and identifying water and sanitation projects for the pipeline. DIFFICULTIES OF ACCESSING DATA ON WASH Difficulties of accessing data and information at all levels (at ministries, national agencies, and municipal levels) is a challenge in both countries. Although data is available in certain cases, accessibility is limited, and administrative formalities are often necessitated to obtain them. For instance, MuniWASH faced
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challenges to access investment projects pipeline information as well as related documents in both countries, and chiefly in Côte d’Ivoire. During this quarter, MuniWASH and its partner PSI have collected field data that will inform the project activities going forward. Also, MuniWASH is establishing an MoU with key national partners such as ANCB, SONEB, and data sharing and usage is part of the covenants that will help ease access to data. In Côte d’Ivoire, MuniWASH is working toward establishing a collaboration with ONEP and ONAD by organizing meetings with the top management. Furthermore, it is anticipated that USAID supporting MuniWASH with the partners is a strong way to mitigate this challenge. This was evidenced by the meeting held with SONEB in Benin. Therefore, MuniWASH will seek meetings between critical stakeholders and USAID. POLITICAL AND SECURITY CLIMATE IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE In contrast to the previous quarter, which was marked by a series of violent incidents related to challenges to President Alassane Ouattara's third candidacy, the current quarter saw a certain calm, although the legislative elections were organized, held, and the results published. These elections took place in a calm climate. The country also experienced a period of national mourning following the death of Prime Minister Ahmed Bakayoko in March. Following the funeral of the former prime minister, the government was dissolved, and a new prime minister was appointed. All these political changes have not had a disturbing impact on social life. On the security front, Côte d'Ivoire suffered a terrorist attack on Monday, March 29, targeting defense and security forces in Kafolo in northern Côte d'Ivoire. The attack took place near the border with jihadist-ridden Burkina Faso, less than a year after a previous attack on the Ivorian army in June 2020.
OPPORTUNITIES ISI AND ISP AND STAKEHOLDERS BUY-IN Up to now, all the target municipalities hosted an ISI assessment except Abobo. The ISI sessions brought together multiple stockholders including Municipal Council and Services, central and decentralized State Services, umbrella association of municipalities (UVICOCI and ANCB) and Civil Society Organizations. After having gone through the ISI assessment all of them showed great interest for the evaluation of the performance of municipal services. All agreed that ISI is an innovative tool to improve municipal services. Not only ISI gathered municipal actors around the same discussion table but also it allowed them to highlight their strengths and weaknesses and develop a common understanding on how to go forward together. The development and implementation of ISPs associated with ISI are raising lots of hope and expectations. At the end of the ISI sessions, UVICOVI, ANCB, and the Regional Sanitation Service in Côte d’Ivoire requested MuniWASH to conduct ISI assessment sessions tailored to their context and structures for them to improve their performance like the targeted municipalities. Moreover, ISI was a great icebreaker between the Municipalities and some stakeholders such as SONEB in Benin. FEASIBILITY STUDIES MuniWASH launched a series of feasibility studies including organizational and financial performance of water and sanitation utilities/service providers; enabling environment for WASH; WASH investment pipeline for infrastructure; customer satisfaction surveys on service quality and coverage and sanitation market. Even though the feasibility studies are still ongoing, the review of progress associated with the studies already has provided data and information on WASH value chain, stakeholders and their responsibilities, policies, programs and investment models, dynamics, gender issues, opportunities and constraints. Not only will such data and information from the feasibility studies help MuniWASH staff develop a good understanding of WASH sector, but they will also feed decision making for the project stakeholders across the board.
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USAID/SONEB MEETING A meeting between USAID and SONEB is scheduled on April 2, 2021, to support and strengthen their relationship with MuniWASH. This meeting is an opportunity to boost the collaboration between MuniWASH and SONEB and to further determine SONEB's support for the project activities. DEVELOPMENT OF A CAPACITY BUILDING PLAN Aware of the need for capacity building, the use of the ISI tool promoted by MuniWASH leads municipalities to assess their capacity gaps and adopt plans to improve WASH service delivery and allows them to fully assume their responsibilities. The development of municipal capacity building plans is an opportunity to advocate and sensitize on the necessity to promote appropriate services with qualified and skillful personnel, regardless of changes in the political environment.
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7 COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, OTHER DONOR PROJECTS, OR OTHER USAID PROJECTS
LINKS WITH RELEVANT GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES During the second quarter of Year 2 (Q2Y2), MuniWASH continued to consult with relevant ministries, and focal points designated to collaborate with MuniWASH and other national key players in both countries. They are outlined below: Benin
● January 27, 2021 - Meeting with SONEB. At the beginning of the year, MuniWASH paid courtesy visits to the partners (focal points) including, the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Water and Mines (January 26, 2021); ● January 29, 2021 - The team was invited and attended a workshop to validate the Plan Directeur Assainissement (PDA) of the municipalities of Bohicon-Abomey held in Abomey; ● Series of meetings were held in the framework of the investment pipeline study. These included the following: o February 2, 2021 - Meeting with the Director of Studies and Support to Investment Projects of APIEx/PPP Unit (Agence de Promotion des Investissements et des Exportations). The meeting was meant to understand the institutional framework for PPP implementation and get information on the projects catalog; o February 2, 2021 - Meeting with the Director of Cabinet of the Ministry of Planning and Development to introduce the study and seek meetings with relevant directorates; o February 3, 2021 - Meeting with the Water and Sanitation Officer of the Presidential WASH Project Monitoring Unit to understand the priority WASH Projects in the Government Action Plan (PAG) and the specific case of the municipality of So-Ava (surrounded with water) was also discussed; ● February 1, 2021 - Meeting with ANCB on the modalities of collaboration with MuniWASH and the activities to be implemented by the Water, Hygiene and Sanitation Commission in the framework of this collaboration; ● February 8, 2021 - Meeting with the Union Nationale des Entrepreneurs Mimin du Bénin (UNEMB) on their request, at MuniWASH Office, to introduce their activities and request support from MuniWASH as SSD is about to close-out. UNEMB is interested to grow into an economic interest group and has capacity gaps that MuniWASH can address; February 8, 2021 - Joint visit with SONEB, DAVU and KfW at the site of the FSTP of Abomey-Calavi which is expected by first quarter of 2022;Côte d’Ivoire
• March 22, 2021 - Meeting with the members of the Ivorian Network of Women Water and Sanitation Professionals (RIFPEA) • March 11, 2021- Meeting with the Hydraulic ministry gender focal point and her team to plan a common activity for 2021 in Côte d'Ivoire
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• February 10, 2021 - Meeting with UVICOCI to discuss about Municipalities Community of Practice in WASH sector • January 20, 2021 - Meeting with ONEP. Exchanges on data collection associated with studies on organizational and financial performance of WASH providers and suppliers as well as the investment pipeline on WASH sector. • February 11, 2021 - Meeting with DGDDL. Exchanges focused on the participation of DGDDL in ISI assessment sessions scheduled in the Municipalities. On March 16, 2021, MuniWASH gathered from DGDDL, information related to the legal framework of social audits in the municipalities as well as the experience in implementing participatory budget at the municipal level. • February 21, 2021 - Meeting with UVICOCI. Exchange on the participation of the General Director and MuniWASH Focal Point in the ISI assessment session planned in Yamoussoukro from February 25 to 26, 2021. • March 1, 2021. Meeting with ONAD including the Manager for Disposal Point Operating on data on sanitation market for the purpose of feasibility study conducted by PSI. ONAD is developing a monitoring system devoted to fecal sludge treatment stations. Unfortunately, the database associated with the system is not updated to be fully and easily exploitable. Due to the urge number of folders and the lack of staff as well, ONAD is struggling to enter data in the system and make sanitation data available for the sanitation sector stakeholders including IPs, Donors, Investors, Consultants, Evaluators, NGOs, Researchers and Students. Data collected in 2020 are not yet in the system. MuniWASH will keep discussing with ONAD and provide as needed an assistance to update the database through a grant. • March 1, 2021 – Meeting with the Haute Autorité pour la Bonne Gouvernance (HAGB) on how the HAGB is connected with municipal governance and WASH issues and the associated activity portfolio.
LINKS WITH OTHER DONOR AGENCIES During the Quarter, to continue building synergies across other the international partners intervening in the sector, MuniWASH met with the following technical assistance providers and donor agencies: In Côte d’Ivoire ● February 5, 2021 - Meeting with Eau et Vie Côte d'Ivoire (EVICI). MuniWASH participated in the close-out ceremony of Dji Ni Si, the social company of EVICI engaged in WASH service delivery to poor and unserved populations established in the neighborhood of Gbamnan Djidan 1 in the Municipality of Yopougon. The ceremony recorded the participation of SODECI, Municipal Council of Yopougon, ONEP, the Ministry of Hydraulic, Community Leaders and Women and Youth Organizations. During the ceremony, EVICI officially transferred their WASH service delivery to poor and unserved to SOCEDI which is the exclusive water provider in Côte d'Ivoire; ● February 15, 2021 - Meeting with InfraCo Africa. InfraCo Africa seeks to alleviate poverty by mobilizing private sector expertise and finance to develop high quality infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa. It provides equity or equity-like on infrastructure projects and the water sector is relatively new to them in the region. Nonetheless there are interested to consider projects that would be identified by MuniWASH;
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● February 16, 2021 - Meeting with IFC. Exchanges on IFC’s involvement in WASH sector. IFC is a financial partner of the private sector. Up to now the institution has not yet invested in WASH projects across the region even though the World Bank is strongly involved in the sector. However, IFC is interested in funding projects which amount is over $5 million. IFC encourages MuniWASH in developing the WASH investment pipeline that could serve as a reference framework for potential investments; In Benin • March 9, 2021 - Online exchange with the KfW water and sanitation coordinator on the presentation of the MuniWASH project and its ambitions in the framework of the promotion of drinking water supply and sanitation infrastructures and of the ongoing projects financed by KfW; • March 12, 2021 - Exchange call with the African Development Bank on the presentation of the MuniWASH project and its ambitions within the framework of the promotion of drinking water supply and sanitation infrastructures and ongoing projects financed by AfDB. AfDB is currently working with the Government of Benin to develop a pipeline of projects to be considered in their Agenda from 2022 onward. There have been challenges in the process that both parties are currently addressing.
LINKS WITH OTHER USAID PROJECTS Below is a summary of the key meetings held between MuniWASH and other USAID projects: • First monthly meeting between three USAID-funded projects in Benin including MuniWASH, PIHI-Com a health project implemented by DEDRAS, and SSD. The purpose is to create collaboration between these three projects to maximize USAID funding impacts in the municipalities. During the meeting, synergistic actions were identified, and the three projects urged by USAID to work toward translating these into real actions – February 23, 2021. • Participation in AfWA 86th meetings of the Scientific and Technical Council, March 15-17, 2021.
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8 WORK PLAN FOR NEXT QUARTER (Y2Q3)
Key expected activities to be implemented for the upcoming quarter in relation to the work plan include the following: Table 6: Key Activities in Y2Q3 2021 COLLABORATORS RESPONSIBLE PARTY TASK APR MAY JUN (MUNIWASH PARTNERS, (MUNIWASH TEAM GOVERNMENT, ETC.) LEAD) SELECTION, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, AND PRE-IR ACTIVITIES Task 0.1: Conduct municipal selection process – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire MuniWASH kickoff workshops Task 0.2: Prepare feasibility studies – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Prepare location-specific feasibility studies to Municipalities, utilities, service determine investment and intervention DCOP, CMs, HO STTA providers, PSI, SEGURA opportunities Task 0.3: Negotiate memoranda of understanding (MOUs) – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Negotiate MOUs with selected municipalities to
agree on services provided and cost sharing Municipalities, ANCB, Municipality Progress Report brief UVICOCI DCOP, RCI CM, Benin CM Task 0.4. Implement grants under contract (GUC) Private sector organizations, COP, DCOP, Grants and Identify GUC opportunities NGOs, Apex organizations Subcontract Manager Grants and Subcontracts Grants awarded in Years 2-4 Grantees Manager Prioritize evidence-based research on women via Grantees GESI Specialist GUC Include gender in MEL criteria, job descriptions, Grantees GESI Specialist competitive grants, and institutional evaluations IR 1: INCREASED FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN WATER AND SANITATION UTILITIES/SERVICE PROVIDERS Task 1.1: Assess financial performance and business models – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire RCI CM, Benin CM, Financial and Investment Advisors Hold preliminary workshop and perform financial SODECI, SONEB, private (F&IAs), Enterprise Support and business reviews of utilities/service providers, service providers, AfWASA, and Business Performance including assessment of gender-based barriers PSI, SEGURA Advisors (ES/BPAs), GESI, HO STTA Assist utilities and service providers in formulating Performance Improvement Plans, including SODECI, SONEB, private RCI CM, Benin CM, F&IAs,
integrating gender into capacity building strategies service providers, SEGURA ES/BPAs, GESI Specialist and plans Task 1.2: Build capacity of water utilities – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Municipalities, SODECI, COP, DCOP, RCI CM, Benin Facilitate multi-party agreements among utilities, SONEB, private service CM municipalities, and asset owners providers Advise and train utilities on best practices for SODECI, SONEB, private ES/BPAs commercial performance, including gender equity and service providers, SEGURA, leadership training STTA Advise utilities on cost-reducing measures from non- Municipalities, ONEP, DG EAU, RCI CM, Benin CM, ES/BPAs revenue water, asset management, O&M, energy SODECI, SONEB, private efficiency, and information systems service providers Municipalities, SODECI, COP, DCOP, RCI CM, Benin Link financial performance to pro-poor goals SONEB, private service CM providers Task 1.3. Improve financial viability of WASH utilities and service providers
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2021 COLLABORATORS RESPONSIBLE PARTY TASK APR MAY JUN (MUNIWASH PARTNERS, (MUNIWASH TEAM GOVERNMENT, ETC.) LEAD) Training/coaching plans on business and financial
service delivery With training/coaching plans identify GUC
opportunities to implement in utilities Task 1.4. Provide financial support to the sanitation sector – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Organize peer-to-peer exchanges among service
providers in different municipalities Organize workshops to evaluate cash flow and profitability, and validate financial models for innovative products and services Assist providers to prepare a business plan to
maintain liquidity; Provide training and coaching on basic bookkeeping,
accounting, asset maintenance schedules, etc. Task 1.5. Facilitate increased investment in WASH services – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Utilities, private service Develop a WASH investment pipeline for providers, municipalities, F&IA infrastructure (part of feasibility study) USAID, STTA National ministries, asset National-level Investment Promotion Committee holding companies, COP, DCOP, CMs, F&IA and facilitate collaboration municipalities, donors, and STTA Present the pipeline investors, finance institutions Investors, finance institutions, F&IA and facilitate negotiations STTA Develop risk mitigation solutions STTA F&IA Utilities, private service Provide preliminary transaction and deal structuring providers, municipalities, F&IA USAID, STTA Task 1.6: Improve government financial planning and oversight Work with national authorities to ensure better use
of public funds and revenue Work with national authorities to prepare for capital raising with donors and private sector (link with Task 1.5) Support national authorities to improve asset
management and financial accounting practices Task 1.7: Expand service provider and customer access to financial products – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Address customer needs for credit and payment PSI F&IA solutions (in the course of feasibility study) Test and scale de-risking products for sanitation
loans and lines of credit Organize training for MFIs and commercial banks in
sanitation service business model viability IR 2: IMPROVED OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY OF WATER AND SANITATION UTILITIES/SERVICE PROVIDERS Task 2.1: Conduct market mapping and customer satisfaction reviews – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Perform market mapping of service coverage with PSI, selected municipalities, DCOP, RCI CM, Benin CM, stakeholders including review of sanitation issues utilities, service providers, SMAs, Sanitation Service impacting scale/uptake (part of feasibility studies) SEGURA, AfWASA Delivery Spec. PSI, selected municipalities, Complete customer surveys to capture customer utilities, service providers, DCOP, ES/BPAs, SMAs feedback on service quality and coverage SEGURA Utilities, service providers, Create GIS mapping to visualize service gaps Home office STTA STTA Task 2.2: Improve service provider business processes – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Identify capacity needs to improve business Utilities, service providers, PSI, practices of water and sanitation utilities and service ES/BPA, SMAs, SSDS SEGURA, STTA providers
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2021 COLLABORATORS RESPONSIBLE PARTY TASK APR MAY JUN (MUNIWASH PARTNERS, (MUNIWASH TEAM GOVERNMENT, ETC.) LEAD) Develop TOT programs with training centers and AfWASA, training centers, PSI, KSLA, ES/BPAs, SMAs, SSDS AfWASA SEGURA Develop hands-on training and technology- and AfWASA, PSI KSLA, ES/BPAs, SMAs, SSDS video-based trainings for service providers Train MFI agents who promote sanitation-based KSLA, SMAs, F&IAs, Comms MFIs, PSI financial products Specialist Establish women’s task force/gender focal points to Utilities, service providers, PSI, ES/BPAs, SMAs, GESI
review hiring/promotion criteria/other disparities AfWASA Specialist Task 2.3. Improve service delivery and quality of customer service – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire PSI, DAVU, ONAD, selected Customer service workshops, prioritize women municipalities, utilities, private ES/BPAs, SMAs, SSDS, CMs participation service providers Establish/Review call-in information/complaint lines; PSI, DAVU, ONAD, selected Assist service providers to explore mobile municipalities, utilities, private ES/BPAs, SMAs, SSDS, CMs technologies for customer complaints service providers PSI, DAVU, ONAD, selected Support gender mainstreaming in the trainings and municipalities, utilities, private GESI Specialist tools to deal with specific gender sensitive needs service providers Task 2.4: Expand and diversify pro-poor services – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Catalogue affordable and context-appropriate Utilities, service providers, ES/BPAs, SMAs, SSDS emerging innovations for pro-poor services AfWASA, PSI Assist interested sanitation service providers to complete feasibility analyses for diversification efforts, including marketing products toward women Task 2.5: Improve enabling business operating environment – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Perform enabling environment diagnostic review to DGIHH, DAUD, DGDDL, assess policies and laws and factors that could inhibit ANAEPMR, DG EAU, DGCL, DCOP, RCI CM, Benin CM,
service provider operations and investments (part of UVICOCI, ANCB, AfWASA, F&IAs feasibility study) PSI IR 3: ENHANCED WATER AND SANITATION SECTOR GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT CAPACITY AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL Task 3.1: Implement municipal WASH ISI – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Assess capacity of municipalities using ISI Selected municipalities, ANCB, methodology building on initial score cards (Activity DCOP, RCI CM, Benin CM, UVICOCI, DGDDL/DGCL, 0.1) and prepare sustainability plans based ISI HOSTTA AfWASA assessments DCOP, RCI CM, Benin CM, Develop and implement site-specific ISP Selected municipalities HO STTA Annual Monitoring and update of the ISP Task 3.2: Build municipal capacity in planning and budgeting – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Train municipalities to convene stakeholders, review water and sanitation access gaps, and create budgets and monitoring plans Assist municipalities to generate service scale-up
plans, including testing in underserved areas Task 3.3: Support collaboration between central and municipal levels – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Conduct collaborative workshops to provide clarity on municipal budgeting (WASH advocacy workshops harmonize planning processes with central government)
Task 3.4: Improve municipal service delivery capacity Plan and coordinate enforcement workshops and
campaigns to monitor service delivery work plans
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2021 COLLABORATORS RESPONSIBLE PARTY TASK APR MAY JUN (MUNIWASH PARTNERS, (MUNIWASH TEAM GOVERNMENT, ETC.) LEAD) Assist municipal leadership to produce annual progress reports that examine technical and disbursement results Task 3.5: Increase municipal capacity to oversee and contract with service providers Perform technical assistance and hold trainings for
service provider contract oversight Task 3.6: Increase civil society engagement in WASH service delivery Train local consultants on civil engagement activities, Selected municipalities, Selected municipalities,
integrating gender and social inclusion planning UVICOCI, ANCB, STTA UVICOCI, ANCB, STTA Organize workshops with CSOs for stakeholder Selected municipalities, Selected municipalities,
mapping and for training on advocacy and awareness UVICOCI, ANCB, STTA UVICOCI, ANCB, STTA Task 3.7: Conduct social audits of WASH services – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Conduct social audits of water and sanitation services to evaluate accessibility and equity in poor Selected municipalities, utilities, RCI CM, Benin CM, GESI,
and underserved areas, emphasizing gender service providers HO STTA disparities Task 3.8: Clarify and strengthen the WASH regulatory framework – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Hold participatory workshops for stakeholder Municipalities, DGIHH, DAUD, mapping at the national level and to clarify municipal DGDDL, ANAEPMR, DG EAU, RCI CM, Benin CM functions in regulatory frameworks (combined with DGCL, AfWASA ISI launch workshop) Task 3.9. Enhance regulations governing municipal management of service providers National ministries, selected Mapping of Municipal functions RCI CM, Benin CM municipalities, and STTA Policy/regulatory frameworks strengthened to National ministries, selected RCI CM, Benin CM improve enabling environment municipalities, and STTA IR 4: INCREASED REGIONAL LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING TO REPLICATE SUCCESSFUL APPROACHES Task 4.2: Collect and document lessons learned – Regional Prepare summaries of activity-sponsored AfWASA KSLA, Comms Specialist workshops, conferences, training, and study tours Support data collection useful to end users through MELP, and answers questions defined by the learning AfWASA KSLA, MEL Managers agenda Update and strengthen central collection points for documents and data and the functionality of AfWASA KSLA, Comms Specialist AfWASA’s KM Platform for outreach and product dissemination Develop and disseminate municipal WASH learning USAID, AfWASA KSLA, Comms Specialist notes Task 4.3: Document and disseminate investment opportunities – Regional MFIs, Development Finance Prepare investment opportunity pipeline documents F&IA, KSLA, Comms Institutions, commercial and tracker and disseminate to potential investors Specialist investors, service providers Prepare documents and prospectuses on investment F&IA, KSLA, Comms opportunities and financial models on FSM and PSI, service providers, investors Specialist water treatment. Task 4.4: Develop and implement an effective communication and outreach strategy – Regional Production of communication tools AfWASA, USAID KSLA, Comms Specialist Publications on project activities for the benefit of AfWASA, USAID KSLA, Comms Specialist different audiences Organization/participation in sector events AfWASA, USAID KSLA, Comms Specialist promoted by MuniWASH Task 4.5: Provide opportunities for formal learning – Regional Develop schedule of formal trainings, conferences,
events, roundtables, focus groups, and workshops
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2021 COLLABORATORS RESPONSIBLE PARTY TASK APR MAY JUN (MUNIWASH PARTNERS, (MUNIWASH TEAM GOVERNMENT, ETC.) LEAD) Convene one national workshop in Benin and RCI and two municipal WASH conferences with AfWASA Task 4.6. Facilitate peer-to-peer learning Twinning relations forged and exchange facilitated; study tours in West Africa region; establish and
organize a Municipal Community of Practice on WASH
Per approved Work Plan Advance Postponed due to additional time for Feasibility Studies Gray Text Task Complete
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9 MUNIWASH FINANCIAL REPORT
[Redacted]
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ANNEX A: KEY ACTIVITIES ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE QUARTER
The table below provides an update of the progress of each activity outlined in the Work Plan for Quarter 2 of Year 2, relating to tasks four service areas only.
ACTIVITY SCHEDULE MOBILIZATION AND START-UP Administrative start-up Complete. Post-award meetings with USAID in Accra Complete. Work planning consultation with USAID and MuniWASH partners for Year 2 Complete in Aug 2020. Prepare and submit Initial Annual Work Plan Complete. English - Complete. Prepare and submit Annual Work Plan Year 2 French – Awaiting USAID’s approval Prepare and submit Grants Manual (Task 0.4) Complete. SELECTION, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, AND PRE-IR ACTIVITIES Task 0.1: Conduct municipal selection process – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Identify stakeholders and develop Activity fact sheet Complete. Hold introductory meetings Complete in Mar 2020 MuniWASH kickoff workshops Complete in Dec 2020. Complete. Submitted to USAID on Dec Establish municipal selection criteria 16, 2019. Hold site selection workshops and develop municipal inventories using ISI and create scorecards Complete. to rank municipalities Finalize first round of municipal selection (up to 20 municipalities) Complete. English - Complete. Prepare costed needs assessment of target utilities and service providers with selected French – Complete. Awaiting USAID municipalities Approval. Select up to 16 municipalities for MuniWASH activities in RCI and Benin Complete. Task 0.2: Prepare feasibility studies – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Prepare location-specific feasibility studies to determine investment and intervention Ongoing opportunities Task 0.3: Negotiate memoranda of understanding (MOUs) Negotiate MOUs with selected municipalities to agree on services provided and cost sharing Complete Task 0.4. Implement grants under contract (GUC) Identify GUC opportunities Ongoing IR1: INCREASED FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN WATER AND SANITATION UTILITIES/SERVICE PROVIDERS Task 1.1: Assess financial performance and business models – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Hold preliminary workshop and perform financial and business reviews of utilities/service Ongoing. Part of feasibility studies. providers, including assessment of gender-based barriers Assist utilities and service providers in formulating Performance Improvement Plans, including Ongoing. Part of feasibility studies. integrating gender into capacity building strategies and plans Task 1.2: Build capacity of water utilities – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Ensure USAID MuniWASH support aligns with national authority priorities for improving utility Complete in March 2020. performance Task 1.5. Facilitate increased investment in WASH services Develop a WASH investment pipeline for infrastructure (part of feasibility study) Part of the feasibility studies Task 1.7: Expand service provider and customer access to financial products Address customer needs for credit and payment solutions Part of the feasibility studies IR2: IMPROVED OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY OF WATER AND SANITATION UTILITIES/SERVICE PROVIDERS Task 2.1: Conduct market mapping and customer satisfaction reviews – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Perform market mapping of service coverage with stakeholders (part of feasibility studies) Ongoing. Part of feasibility studies. including review of sanitation issues impacting scale/uptake Complete customer surveys to capture customer feedback on service quality and coverage Ongoing. Part of feasibility studies.
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ACTIVITY SCHEDULE Task 2.2: Improve service provider business processes – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Identify capacity needs to improve business practices of water and sanitation utilities and service Ongoing. Part of feasibility studies. providers Develop TOT programs with training centers and AfWASA Ongoing. Part of feasibility studies. Task 2.4: Expand and diversify pro-poor services – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Catalogue affordable and context-appropriate emerging innovations for pro-poor services Ongoing. Part of feasibility studies. Task 2.5: Improve enabling business operating environment – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Perform enabling environment diagnostic review to assess policies and laws and factors that Ongoing. Part of feasibility studies. could inhibit service provider operations and investments IR 3: ENHANCED WATER AND SANITATION SECTOR GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT CAPACITY AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL Task 3.1: Implement municipal WASH Institutional Strengthening Index (ISI) – Benin and Côte d’Ivoire Assess capacity of municipalities using ISI methodology building on initial score cards (Activity Ongoing. 0.1) and prepare sustainability plans based ISI assessments Task 3.6: Increase civil society engagement in WASH service delivery Organize workshops with CSOs for stakeholder mapping and for training on advocacy and Ongoing. Part of ISPs. awareness Task 3.7: Conduct social audits of WASH services Conduct social audits of water and sanitation services to evaluate accessibility and equity in poor Ongoing and underserved areas, emphasizing gender disparities Task 3.8: Clarify and strengthen the WASH regulatory framework Hold participatory workshops for stakeholder mapping at the national level and to clarify Ongoing municipal functions in regulatory frameworks IR4: INCREASED REGIONAL LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING TO REPLICATE SUCCESSFUL APPROACHES Task 4.1: Establish a learning agenda and communities of practice – Regional Define strategy for learning agenda including illustrative events and activities Complete during Y2Q1 Task 4.2: Collect and document lessons learned – Regional Conduct review of data and identify primary inputs to KPIs and catalogue WASH resources Complete Assess AfWASA’s KM Platform and system requirements for upgrading Complete during Y2Q1 Three draft learning notes approved by USAID and published on AfWASA Develop and disseminate Municipal WASH Learning Notes platform and submitted to AfWASA for dissemination. Task 4.3: Document and disseminate investment opportunities - Regional Prepare investment opportunity pipeline documents and tracker and disseminate to potential Ongoing. Part of feasibility studies. investors Task 4.4: Develop and implement an effective communication and outreach strategy – Regional Develop a communications and outreach strategy with AfWASA that identifies target audiences Completed. Task 4.5: Provide opportunities for formal learning – Regional Develop schedule of formal trainings, conferences, events, roundtables, focus groups, and Ongoing. Part of the feasibility studies. workshops Convene one national workshop in Benin and RCI and two municipal WASH conferences with One regional event organized this AfWA quarter.
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ANNEX B: PHOTOGRAPHS OF ACTIVITIES DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
BENIN
Figure 5- ISI Workshop with municipal council members in Abomey-Calavi
Figure 6- ISI Workshop with municipal council members in Cotonou
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Figure 7 - ISI Workshop with municipal council members in Bohicon
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CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Figure 8 – ISI Workshop with municipal council members
Figure 9 – Interview with sanitation artisans as part of the feasibility study
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Figure 10 – Interview with Municipalities staffs as part of the feasibility study
Figure 11 – Interview with sanitation artisans and VTO’s as part of the feasibility study
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Figure 12 - Visit to the sewage sludge treatment plants in Bouaké (being finalized) and San Pedro (operational)
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U.S. Agency for International Development 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20523 Tel: (202) 712-0000 Fax: (202) 216-3524 USAID WEST AFRICA MUNICIPAL WASH:www.usaid.gov YEAR 2, QUARTERLY REPORT 2 (JAN–MAR 2021) 51